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Enbrel and Chicken Pox - IMPORTANT

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Aginoth:
First a big thank you to RachelD who pointed out to me the contraindication of Chicken Pox and Enbrel. and Stace for starting the Chicken pox thread in Chat.  8)

My Daughter (3) came home with chicken pox on Friday, so she had been highly infectious for 2 days previously, but more importantly there apparently had been several children with it at her nursery.  This means I had been exposed to it for the previus coupl of weeks as chicken pox is airbourne.

 I had a few sore and unusual spots appear on the thursday, and hadn't really worried, after all what's another few spots? ;) looking back I am sure they were pox, and I had indeed contracted chicken pox. Second time for me first had it when I was 6 (31 years ago).

Problem is enbrel which we all know supresses the immune system has a specific strong supressent effect against varicella-zoster virus (VZV), also known as human herpes virus 3 (HHV-3), the bug that causes chicken pox. Hence the warning in the patient notes with enbrel and on the wyeth website.

Anyway following the heads up from RachelD I called NHS Direct (9pm Friday evening), who got back to me very quickly and arranged for me to go to the out of hours GP at Weston General Hospital, where I was immediately put on Aciclovir 800mg 5 x daily for 7 days and I cannot take enbrel until my daughter is clear of pox spots.

The anti-virals are working as I said, the few spots I had have gone but they are making me feel very fatigued and nauseus.

I thought you'd all like to know this especially if you come into regular contact with children, please be aware of the issues regarding chicken pox even if you have had it before. If you are on Enbrel your immunity may not be there and as an adult chicken pox can be very nasty and can lead to some complications like pneumonia.

So importantly if you get or come into contact with chicken pox (ie your child has it) STOP taking Enbrel immediately and call your prescribing doctor or NHS Direct for advice.

rachelD:
I would also think that it would apply to any infectious diseases.

If any of the tenanats at work come down with anything I refuse to support them until I know that I am safe.

david_8:
hi, Rachel

yep i think shingles is another main 1 &  its  just the same for DMDs,  and not forgetting  live vaccines also is a no/no

rachelD:
Shingles is another one and thats what made me mention it. A tenant at work had shingles and on reading up about it anyone on immune suppressent drugs should not be exposed to it.

Others are mumps, measles, german measles etc etc.

Aginoth:
Chicken pox is specifically listed in the patient info on the Wyeth site and elsewhere

what I found online...without a lot of searching

Special warnings about Enbrel

If you develop an infection, stop taking Enbrel and call your doctor immediately. Do likewise if you are exposed to chickenpox.

Another site...

Chickenpox: Tell your doctor if you are exposed to chickenpox when using Enbrel. Your doctor will determine if preventive treatment for chickenpox is appropriate.

and finally from netdoctor...

It is important to try and avoid exposure to infections, in particular chickenpox, during your treatment. Let your doctor know as soon as possible if you get any symptoms of any infection, so that it can be treated without delay. If you develop a serious infection, treatment with this medicine should be stopped until the infection is controlled. If you or your child has been exposed to chickenpox you should let your doctor know straight away, as he may need to stop your treatment temporarily and administer antibodies to prevent the infection

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