Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Measles vaccine
Severity: Contraindicated
Cyclosporin and Measles vaccine: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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
Measles vaccine is live attenuated, and in patients on cyclosporin the virus may replicate unchecked and cause disseminated disease. The protective response may also be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Measles vaccine 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
Calcineurin-inhibitor-induced impairment of cell-mediated immunity allows uncontrolled replication of the live vaccine virus.
What to do
Do not give measles vaccine during cyclosporin therapy. Defer until immunosuppression has been stopped for an adequate interval, usually at least 3 months, and seek specialist advice.
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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References
Other interactions of Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Measles vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cyclosporin and Measles vaccine 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. Measles vaccine is live attenuated, and in patients on cyclosporin the virus may replicate unchecked and cause disseminated disease. The protective response may also be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Measles vaccine?
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 measles vaccine during cyclosporin therapy. Defer until immunosuppression has been stopped for an adequate interval, usually at least 3 months, and seek specialist advice.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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