Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Smallpox vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Cyclosporin and Smallpox vaccine live: 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
Live replicating smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia or generalized infection in patients on cyclosporin. Immune response may also be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Smallpox vaccine live 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 suppression of cell-mediated immunity allows uncontrolled vaccinia replication.
What to do
Do not give replicating vaccinia vaccine to patients on cyclosporin. Use a non-replicating vaccine if protection is essential, under specialist and public health guidance.
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 Smallpox vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cyclosporin and Smallpox vaccine live 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. Live replicating smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia or generalized infection in patients on cyclosporin. Immune response may also be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Smallpox vaccine live?
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 replicating vaccinia vaccine to patients on cyclosporin. Use a non-replicating vaccine if protection is essential, under specialist and public health guidance.
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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