Is it actually known if paracetamol POST-vaccine (AZ) reduces effectiveness?

[Calpolforever]

I'm feeling a bit worse for wear after AZ vaccine yesterday (not serious at all, just a bit achey like after flu vaccine). Paracetamol would help me get on with my day, but if there's a chance of reducing immunity at all I'll go without. NHS says its ok, but I'd feel better if I could see some actual research. Does anyone know?

Why would it reduce immunity?

@Einszwei

Why would it reduce immunity?

Because (I think) drugs like paracetamol & ibuprofen are known to dampen down the immune response to some vaccines. Its been talked about avoiding paracetamol before a jab, but I don't know about after. Disclaimer: I'm not an expert at all, don't want to spread misinformation. I'm just reading what is available, and wanting to maximise my vaccine.

Why not believe what the experts advise? ie the NHS guidelines. They don't just make them up for fun.

Yes - paracetemol is completely safe and will not affect how the vaccine works.

@leafygarden42

Why not believe what the experts advise? ie the NHS guidelines. They don't just make them up for fun.

Yes - paracetemol is completely safe and will not affect how the vaccine works.

It isn't that I don't believe the NHS, its that I want to read the research, if here is any.

If you can't find research & are worried as long as symptoms are not severe I would try & troop on through if you don't trust nhs guidelines without seeing the research. & I can't answer your question properly because I haven't seen the research

DH and I both had cold achey symptoms after AZ jab - he had lemsip I just curled up with my kindle.

From a random sample of two - if it is of comfort - both of us - symptoms went away the next day

Hope you feel better soon @Calpolforever - I suspect you will

Paracetamol is not an NSAID so perfectly fine. (And most probably so is ibuprofen.)

I had to take paracetamol after the AZ.

I had sweats, chills, aches and ended up sleeping with 2 hot water bottles.

(Fine now but feeling shattered!)

The hcps who vaccinated me and all my colleagues together three weeks ago told all of us to take paracetamol if we felt feverish or achey afterwards.

Nhs are evidence based, so they'll have read or even conducted the studies so you don't have to. I would trust them and take paracetamol so you feel less groggy.

I've never heard of paracetamol reducing vaccine effectiveness. When babies have their vaccines, the guideline is always to administer paracetamol to reduce post vaccine temp - with some jabs you give them paracetamol without even waiting to see if a temp occurs.
It's very very common in that age group to provide paracetamol post vaccines and they receive a lot of vaccines so if there was a link with paracetamol and effectiveness I think it would be widely known.

@bdd2017 - Nhs are evidence based, so they'll have read or even conducted the studies so you don't have to. I would trust them and take paracetamol so you feel less groggy.

This would be my line too

journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0098175

This study suggests that prophylactic paracetamol has an effect on vaccination efficacy but therapeutic paracetamol has no significant effect.

@Gubanc What makes you think ANY painkillers or anti inflammatory medicines are a problem after vaccination?

They’re absolutely not. No evidence whatsoever. This whole thing is simply a myth.

Had mine yesterday morning and was told specifically to take 'medicines containing paracetamol' if I had any side effects. Just as well because I've felt pretty ropey since and have been hitting the cocodamol hard!

Do you think the NHS might have evaluated all the research on your behalf, or do you think they've made up the guidelines after watching some Youtube vids?

@giletrouge

Do you think the NHS might have evaluated all the research on your behalf, or do you think they've made up the guidelines after watching some Youtube vids?

Goodness, no need to be rude. I've already said I don't disbelieve the NHS advice. I would just like to read the evidence myself if its available. It isn't a massive deal, I'm very happy & grateful to have the vaccine, the side-effects are minor and don't worry me at all, I'm not really anxious about it. I'm just interested in really interested in finding out more, and also happy to do any minor things that might add to vaccine efficacy.

I was told to take paracetamol if I had symptoms so there is no effect I am sure

Paracetamol is not an immune suppressant. It is perfectly fine to use.
Why not ask your doctor if you are worried.

Champagne a safer option 😉

If paracetamol dampens down the immune system then why aren't I just on that rather than a lovely cocktail of dmards and a biologic drug?

Answer is because it doesn't dampen down the immune system.

[quote doireallyneedaname]@Gubanc What makes you think ANY painkillers or anti inflammatory medicines are a problem after vaccination?

They’re absolutely not. No evidence whatsoever. This whole thing is simply a myth.[/quote]
Where did I say they do?

The Oxford vaccine trials altered their protocol during the delivery of second round (booster) shots to recommend taking a standard dose of paracetamol prior to the vaccination, to help alleviate potential side effects.

@Gubanc Yoo said it wasn’t an NSAID so it was fine.

I can’t see anything about NSAIDs being a problem either? If they were it would be advised so people could stop taking them prior to vaccination.

I’ve had 4 nhs workers now tell me to take paracetamol a couple of hours before and then A couple of hours after. Apparently it’s worked for people although I’m not sure how they can tell as not everyone gets side effects.