Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal
Severity: Contraindicated
Azathioprine and Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal: 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
The intranasal influenza vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which could replicate more extensively in a patient immunosuppressed by azathioprine. This creates a risk of vaccine-strain infection, and the vaccine response may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal 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 impairment of cellular immunity may allow uncontrolled replication of live attenuated virus.
What to do
Do not use the live intranasal vaccine in patients on azathioprine. Give an inactivated injectable influenza vaccine instead.
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 + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Febuxostat 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 Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Azathioprine and Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal 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. The intranasal influenza vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which could replicate more extensively in a patient immunosuppressed by azathioprine. This creates a risk of vaccine-strain infection, and the vaccine response may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal?
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 use the live intranasal vaccine in patients on azathioprine. Give an inactivated injectable influenza vaccine instead.
What other medicines interact with Azathioprine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azathioprine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Febuxostat. The full list is on the Azathioprine page.
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