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