Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Hydroxyurea
Severity: Major
Bcg vaccine live and Hydroxyurea: 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
Hydroxyurea is myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive. A live BCG vaccine may be less effective and may cause disseminated BCG infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Hydroxyurea 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
Immunosuppression impairs the vaccine response and permits replication of live bacteria.
What to do
Avoid live vaccines during hydroxyurea therapy. Defer vaccination until immune recovery.
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 Hydroxyurea
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Hydroxyurea?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Bcg vaccine live and Hydroxyurea 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. Hydroxyurea is myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive. A live BCG vaccine may be less effective and may cause disseminated BCG infection.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Hydroxyurea?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid live vaccines during hydroxyurea therapy. Defer vaccination until immune recovery.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxyurea?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxyurea with, for example, Didanosine, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel. The full list is on the Hydroxyurea page.
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