Drug interactions
Cladribine + Influenza a vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Cladribine and Influenza a vaccine: moderate 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
The H5N1 influenza vaccine is inactivated, so it is safe, but cladribine-induced lymphopenia may blunt the antibody response and reduce protection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cladribine and Influenza a vaccine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Cladribine-related lymphocyte depletion reduces vaccine immunogenicity.
What to do
Vaccinate before cladribine if possible, ideally a few weeks beforehand. If given during therapy, consider assessing response and do not rely on it alone for protection.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cladribine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cladribine Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Siponimod Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Axicabtagene ciloleucel + Cladribine Major
- Belatacept + Cladribine Major
- Brexucabtagene autoleucel + Cladribine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cladribine with Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cladribine and Influenza a vaccine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. The H5N1 influenza vaccine is inactivated, so it is safe, but cladribine-induced lymphopenia may blunt the antibody response and reduce protection.
How serious is the interaction between Cladribine and Influenza a vaccine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Vaccinate before cladribine if possible, ideally a few weeks beforehand. If given during therapy, consider assessing response and do not rely on it alone for protection.
What other medicines interact with Cladribine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cladribine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Siponimod, Tofacitinib. The full list is on the Cladribine page.
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