Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Infliximab
Severity: Contraindicated
Bcg vaccine live and Infliximab: contraindicated 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
BCG is a live attenuated bacterium that may cause disseminated BCG infection in patients receiving infliximab. Infants exposed to infliximab in utero have had fatal disseminated BCG after vaccination.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Infliximab are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
TNF-alpha blockade impairs granuloma formation and control of the live attenuated mycobacteria.
What to do
Do not give BCG to patients on infliximab. For infants exposed in utero, defer live vaccines until at least 6 months after birth, as advised by labeling.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Infliximab
- Infliximab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Infliximab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Bcg vaccine live and Infliximab are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. BCG is a live attenuated bacterium that may cause disseminated BCG infection in patients receiving infliximab. Infants exposed to infliximab in utero have had fatal disseminated BCG after vaccination.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Infliximab?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give BCG to patients on infliximab. For infants exposed in utero, defer live vaccines until at least 6 months after birth, as advised by labeling.
What other medicines interact with Infliximab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Infliximab with, for example, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Infliximab page.
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