Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Bcg vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Azathioprine and Bcg vaccine live: 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
BCG is a live attenuated bacterial vaccine and can cause disseminated BCG infection in immunosuppressed patients. Azathioprine impairs the cellular immunity needed to contain it.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Bcg vaccine live 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.
Why it happens
Azathioprine-induced suppression of T-cell function allows uncontrolled replication of live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis.
What to do
Do not give BCG to patients on azathioprine; defer until immunosuppression has been stopped for the interval recommended by local guidance. Assess tuberculosis risk by alternative means.
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?
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Other interactions of Azathioprine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Azathioprine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Febuxostat Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azathioprine with Bcg vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Azathioprine and Bcg vaccine live 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. BCG is a live attenuated bacterial vaccine and can cause disseminated BCG infection in immunosuppressed patients. Azathioprine impairs the cellular immunity needed to contain it.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Bcg vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give BCG to patients on azathioprine; defer until immunosuppression has been stopped for the interval recommended by local guidance. Assess tuberculosis risk by alternative means.
What other medicines interact with Azathioprine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azathioprine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Febuxostat, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Azathioprine page.
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