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Drug interactions

Anakinra + Measles vaccine

Severity: Contraindicated

Anakinra and Measles vaccine: contraindicated interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Measles vaccine is live attenuated and may cause vaccine-strain disease in patients on immunosuppressive therapy such as anakinra. The immune response may also be inadequate.

What this interaction means in plain words

Anakinra and Measles vaccine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Immunosuppression permits uncontrolled replication of the live attenuated virus.

What to do

Avoid live measles vaccine during anakinra therapy; vaccinate before starting treatment or defer until therapy is stopped, and consider immunoglobulin after exposure.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
  • If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
  • Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Anakinra with Measles vaccine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Anakinra and Measles vaccine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Measles vaccine is live attenuated and may cause vaccine-strain disease in patients on immunosuppressive therapy such as anakinra. The immune response may also be inadequate.

How serious is the interaction between Anakinra and Measles vaccine?

MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid live measles vaccine during anakinra therapy; vaccinate before starting treatment or defer until therapy is stopped, and consider immunoglobulin after exposure.

What other medicines interact with Anakinra?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Anakinra with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Anakinra page.

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