Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine
Severity: Contraindicated
Bcg vaccine live and Mercaptopurine: 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
Immunosuppression from mercaptopurine can permit disseminated BCG infection. The vaccine response may also be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Mercaptopurine 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 impairs control of live attenuated mycobacteria.
What to do
Do not give BCG vaccine to patients on mercaptopurine. Defer vaccination until immunosuppressive therapy has been discontinued for an appropriate interval.
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 Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adalimumab + Mercaptopurine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Bcg vaccine live and Mercaptopurine 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. Immunosuppression from mercaptopurine can permit disseminated BCG infection. The vaccine response may also be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Mercaptopurine?
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 to patients on mercaptopurine. Defer vaccination until immunosuppressive therapy has been discontinued for an appropriate interval.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Febuxostat. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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