Drug interactions
Fluorouracil + Meningococcal group b vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Fluorouracil and Meningococcal group b 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
Patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy such as fluorouracil may mount a weaker immune response to meningococcal group B vaccine. Protection may be reduced even though the vaccine is non-live.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluorouracil and Meningococcal group b 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
Chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression reduces antibody response to vaccination.
What to do
Vaccinate ideally before chemotherapy or when counts recover between cycles. Consider checking that an adequate vaccination schedule is completed.
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 Fluorouracil
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluorouracil with Meningococcal group b vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluorouracil and Meningococcal group b 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. Patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy such as fluorouracil may mount a weaker immune response to meningococcal group B vaccine. Protection may be reduced even though the vaccine is non-live.
How serious is the interaction between Fluorouracil and Meningococcal group b 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 ideally before chemotherapy or when counts recover between cycles. Consider checking that an adequate vaccination schedule is completed.
What other medicines interact with Fluorouracil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluorouracil with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel, Belatacept. The full list is on the Fluorouracil page.
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