Drug interactions
Basiliximab + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Moderate
Basiliximab and Mercaptopurine: 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
Basiliximab blocks the IL-2 receptor on activated T cells, and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocyte proliferation. Together they deepen immunosuppression, which may raise the risk of infection. This pairing is used within transplant protocols.
What this interaction means in plain words
Basiliximab and Mercaptopurine 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.
Basiliximab belongs to Miscellaneous; Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression through IL-2 receptor blockade plus inhibition of purine synthesis in lymphocytes.
What to do
Monitor for signs of infection and check blood counts regularly. Keep the combination within an established transplant immunosuppression protocol.
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 Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Basiliximab
- Basiliximab + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Basiliximab with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Basiliximab and Mercaptopurine 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. Basiliximab blocks the IL-2 receptor on activated T cells, and mercaptopurine suppresses lymphocyte proliferation. Together they deepen immunosuppression, which may raise the risk of infection. This pairing is used within transplant protocols.
How serious is the interaction between Basiliximab and Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for signs of infection and check blood counts regularly. Keep the combination within an established transplant immunosuppression protocol.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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