Nucala isn’t known to interact with drugs, supplements, or alcohol. However, Nucala may cause certain vaccines to be less effective. Talk with your doctor to help avoid potentially harmful effects from Nucala interactions.

Nucala is prescribed to treat the following conditions:

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

By learning about possible Nucala interactions, you can work with your doctor to help ensure Nucala will be safe and effective for you to take.

Nucala isn’t known to interact with other medications. This may be a result of Nucala being broken down differently in the body compared to some other drugs. Because of this, interactions aren’t expected to occur. However, that doesn’t mean interactions aren’t possible. For example, other drugs may be approved in the future that may have interactions with Nucala.

Before you start treatment with Nucala, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Nucala interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Nucala and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Nucala due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. Nucala has one contraindication that’s described below.

Note: Before you start treatment with Nucala, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Nucala.

Having had an allergic reaction to Nucala or any of its ingredients

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nucala or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nucala. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

There are no known interactions between Nucala and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some Nucala side effects, including headache and fatigue (tiredness). If you drink alcohol, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit it during Nucala treatment.

Alcohol can also worsen the condition you’re receiving Nucala to treat. For example, if you have asthma, drinking alcohol may trigger asthma symptoms in certain people. For additional information, see this article.

If you consume alcohol during Nucala treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol while using Nucala, talk with your doctor.

Nucala may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests.

Here are some potential interactions with Nucala. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all possible Nucala interactions.

Nucala interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Nucala and herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Nucala. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Nucala treatment.

Nucala and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Nucala. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Nucala.

Nucala interactions with food

There were no reports of food interactions with Nucala. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Nucala, talk with your doctor.

Nucala interactions with vaccines

Certain vaccines may be less effective when given to people who are using Nucala. These include both the cholera and COVID-19 vaccines. This is because Nucala may cause you to have a weakened immune system. This may lead to a lower-than-desired response to the vaccines in people using Nucala. Because of this, your doctor may recommend you receive these vaccines before starting Nucala if you decide to complete them.

Your doctor may also recommend you receive the shingles vaccine before starting Nucala. This is because shingles diagnoses have been reported in people using Nucala.

Before starting Nucala, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any vaccines you may need.

Nucala interactions with lab tests

Nucala isn’t known to interact with lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

NUCALA WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Nucala. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Nucala. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Nucala treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Nucala. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Nucala may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Nucala include:

  • Helminth (parasite) infection: It isn’t known how Nucala affects treatment for a helminth infection (a parasitic infection caused by worms). Talk with your doctor if you have or recently had a helminth infection. They will likely want to treat your infection before starting Nucala.
  • Using corticosteroid medications: Talk with your doctor if you are using corticosteroid medications. This is a type of medication that’s used in combination with other medications to treat a variety of health conditions. For example, corticosteroids can be used with Nucala to treat severe eosinophilic asthma. It’s recommended to not suddenly stop your corticosteroid medications when starting Nucala. Your doctor will slowly change your corticosteroid treatment if needed.
  • Asthma attack: Nucala shouldn’t be used to treat an asthma attack. If you have an asthma attack, use your rescue inhaler as prescribed by your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • Shingles: Cases of shingles have been reported in people using Nucala. Because of this, your doctor may recommend you receive the shingles vaccine before starting Nucala. This can help reduce your risk of developing a shingles infection.
  • Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nucala or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nucala. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Nucala while breastfeeding. There isn’t any information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Nucala may have on a child who is breastfed. Animal studies show that Nucala can pass through breast milk. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Nucala. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child other than breastfeeding.
  • Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Nucala is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies didn’t show the drug causing fetal harm. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Nucala. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Nucala. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reaching out to them before starting treatment is a helpful first step. For example, it’s important that you plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Nucala label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. The paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Nucala doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Nucala by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.