Skip to content

Drug interactions

Hydrocortisone + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live

Severity: Major

Hydrocortisone and Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live: major 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

MMR is a live attenuated vaccine. Immunosuppressive hydrocortisone doses may allow vaccine-virus dissemination and reduce the immune response.

What this interaction means in plain words

Hydrocortisone and Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression impairs control of live attenuated viruses and reduces immunogenicity.

What to do

Defer vaccination while on immunosuppressive doses and until an interval recommended by local guidance after stopping. Replacement or low-dose short-course therapy does not generally preclude vaccination.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocortisone and Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Hydrocortisone with Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydrocortisone and Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. MMR is a live attenuated vaccine. Immunosuppressive hydrocortisone doses may allow vaccine-virus dissemination and reduce the immune response.

How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Defer vaccination while on immunosuppressive doses and until an interval recommended by local guidance after stopping. Replacement or low-dose short-course therapy does not generally preclude vaccination.

What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in