Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Melphalan
Severity: Contraindicated
Bcg vaccine live and Melphalan: 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 vaccine contains live attenuated mycobacteria, which can disseminate in immunosuppressed patients and cause systemic BCG infection. Melphalan-induced immunosuppression increases this risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Melphalan 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
Immunosuppression from melphalan impairs control of live attenuated bacteria and reduces the vaccine response.
What to do
Do not give BCG vaccine during melphalan therapy or for at least 3 months afterward. Defer vaccination until immune recovery.
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 Melphalan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Melphalan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Melphalan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Bcg vaccine live and Melphalan 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 vaccine contains live attenuated mycobacteria, which can disseminate in immunosuppressed patients and cause systemic BCG infection. Melphalan-induced immunosuppression increases this risk.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Melphalan?
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 vaccine during melphalan therapy or for at least 3 months afterward. Defer vaccination until immune recovery.
What other medicines interact with Melphalan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Melphalan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Melphalan page.
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