Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Rubella vaccine
Severity: Contraindicated
Cyclosporin and Rubella 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
Rubella vaccine is live attenuated, so replication of the vaccine virus may be uncontrolled in patients on cyclosporin and cause disease. The immune response may also be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Rubella 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 inhibition impairs cell-mediated immunity, permitting replication of the live vaccine virus.
What to do
Do not give rubella vaccine during cyclosporin therapy. Immunize before treatment or after an adequate immunosuppressant-free interval, usually at least 3 months, and check immunity serologically.
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 Rubella vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cyclosporin and Rubella 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. Rubella vaccine is live attenuated, so replication of the vaccine virus may be uncontrolled in patients on cyclosporin and cause disease. The immune response may also be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Rubella 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 rubella vaccine during cyclosporin therapy. Immunize before treatment or after an adequate immunosuppressant-free interval, usually at least 3 months, and check immunity serologically.
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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