Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Cilastatin-imipenem
Severity: Moderate
Bcg vaccine live and Cilastatin-imipenem: 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
Live BCG relies on viable bacteria to induce immunity, and antibacterial agents active against mycobacteria or related organisms may reduce vaccine viability. Imipenem has some activity against BCG strains, so the immune response could be blunted.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Cilastatin-imipenem 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.
Why it happens
Antibacterial activity may reduce the viability of the live attenuated organism.
What to do
Delay BCG vaccination until the antibiotic course is complete, where this is clinically feasible. Repeat vaccination or assess response if the vaccine was given during therapy.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Bcg vaccine live and Cilastatin-imipenem, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cilastatin-imipenem
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Cilastatin-imipenem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bcg vaccine live and Cilastatin-imipenem 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. Live BCG relies on viable bacteria to induce immunity, and antibacterial agents active against mycobacteria or related organisms may reduce vaccine viability. Imipenem has some activity against BCG strains, so the immune response could be blunted.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Cilastatin-imipenem?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Delay BCG vaccination until the antibiotic course is complete, where this is clinically feasible. Repeat vaccination or assess response if the vaccine was given during therapy.
What other medicines interact with Cilastatin-imipenem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cilastatin-imipenem with, for example, Divalproex, Ganciclovir, Valproic acid. The full list is on the Cilastatin-imipenem page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
