Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Ocrelizumab
Severity: Moderate
Azathioprine and Ocrelizumab: moderate 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
Ocrelizumab depletes B cells, and adding azathioprine further suppresses immune function. This can increase the risk of serious infections.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Ocrelizumab can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Azathioprine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ocrelizumab belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from B-cell depletion and inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation.
What to do
Avoid routine combination where possible; if used, monitor for infection and consider checking immunoglobulins and lymphocyte counts.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ocrelizumab
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Anti-thymocyte + Ocrelizumab Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azathioprine with Ocrelizumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azathioprine and Ocrelizumab can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Ocrelizumab depletes B cells, and adding azathioprine further suppresses immune function. This can increase the risk of serious infections.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Ocrelizumab?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid routine combination where possible; if used, monitor for infection and consider checking immunoglobulins and lymphocyte counts.
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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