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Drug interactions

Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured + Methotrexate

Severity: Moderate

Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured and Methotrexate: 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

Methotrexate can reduce the immune response to inactivated cell-culture-derived influenza vaccine. The vaccine remains recommended because influenza complications are more serious in immunosuppressed patients.

What this interaction means in plain words

Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured and Methotrexate 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Methotrexate suppresses lymphocyte proliferation and humoral responses.

What to do

Give the vaccine every season. Where disease is well controlled, consider a temporary methotrexate interruption of about two weeks after vaccination.

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?

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

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured with Methotrexate?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured and Methotrexate 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. Methotrexate can reduce the immune response to inactivated cell-culture-derived influenza vaccine. The vaccine remains recommended because influenza complications are more serious in immunosuppressed patients.

How serious is the interaction between Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent cell-cultured and Methotrexate?

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 every season. Where disease is well controlled, consider a temporary methotrexate interruption of about two weeks after vaccination.

What other medicines interact with Methotrexate?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Methotrexate with, for example, Acitretin, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Methotrexate page.

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