Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Dapsone
Severity: Major
Bcg vaccine live and Dapsone: major 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 is a viable attenuated bacterium, and antibacterial drugs active against mycobacteria can kill the vaccine organisms and reduce the immune response. Dapsone has activity against mycobacteria, so vaccine efficacy may be impaired.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Dapsone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Dapsone's antimycobacterial activity may inactivate the live attenuated BCG organisms, reducing vaccine take.
What to do
Defer BCG vaccination until dapsone therapy is finished, or revaccinate later if it was given during treatment. For intravesical BCG, avoid concurrent antimycobacterial therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Dapsone
- Dapsone + Primaquine Major
- Apalutamide + Dapsone Moderate
- Belzutifan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bosentan + Dapsone Moderate
- Bupivacaine implant + Dapsone Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Dapsone Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Dapsone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Bcg vaccine live and Dapsone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Live BCG is a viable attenuated bacterium, and antibacterial drugs active against mycobacteria can kill the vaccine organisms and reduce the immune response. Dapsone has activity against mycobacteria, so vaccine efficacy may be impaired.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Dapsone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Defer BCG vaccination until dapsone therapy is finished, or revaccinate later if it was given during treatment. For intravesical BCG, avoid concurrent antimycobacterial therapy.
What other medicines interact with Dapsone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dapsone with, for example, Primaquine, Apalutamide, Belzutifan. The full list is on the Dapsone page.
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