Drug interactions
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent + Melphalan
Severity: Moderate
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent and Melphalan: 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
Melphalan is a myelosuppressive alkylating agent that impairs lymphocyte function. Antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccine may be blunted, leaving the patient less protected than expected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent and Melphalan 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
Cytotoxic immunosuppression by melphalan reduces B- and T-cell responses to vaccine antigens.
What to do
Give the vaccine, ideally at least 2 weeks before starting melphalan. Annual influenza vaccination should not be withheld during treatment, but consider revaccination after immune recovery.
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 Melphalan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent with Melphalan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent and Melphalan 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. Melphalan is a myelosuppressive alkylating agent that impairs lymphocyte function. Antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccine may be blunted, leaving the patient less protected than expected.
How serious is the interaction between Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent and Melphalan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give the vaccine, ideally at least 2 weeks before starting melphalan. Annual influenza vaccination should not be withheld during treatment, but consider revaccination after immune recovery.
What other medicines interact with Melphalan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Melphalan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Melphalan page.
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