Drug interactions
Bcg vaccine live + Sarilumab
Severity: Major
Bcg vaccine live and Sarilumab: 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
Sarilumab suppresses immune function, and BCG is a live attenuated bacterial vaccine. Vaccine-strain infection may spread in immunosuppressed patients, and the vaccine response may be impaired.
What this interaction means in plain words
Bcg vaccine live and Sarilumab 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
IL-6 receptor blockade impairs host defenses, permitting replication of live attenuated organisms.
What to do
Avoid live BCG during sarilumab treatment. Complete needed vaccination before starting therapy, per immunization guidelines.
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 Sarilumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Bcg vaccine live with Sarilumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Bcg vaccine live and Sarilumab 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. Sarilumab suppresses immune function, and BCG is a live attenuated bacterial vaccine. Vaccine-strain infection may spread in immunosuppressed patients, and the vaccine response may be impaired.
How serious is the interaction between Bcg vaccine live and Sarilumab?
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 BCG during sarilumab treatment. Complete needed vaccination before starting therapy, per immunization guidelines.
What other medicines interact with Sarilumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sarilumab with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Dengue vaccine, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine. The full list is on the Sarilumab page.
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