Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Measles vaccine
Severity: Contraindicated
Leflunomide and Measles vaccine: contraindicated 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
Measles vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which may cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in a patient immunosuppressed by leflunomide. The vaccine response may also be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Measles vaccine 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
Impaired lymphocyte function reduces control of live attenuated virus replication.
What to do
Avoid live vaccines during leflunomide treatment and until drug elimination is confirmed; vaccinate before therapy.
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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Other interactions of Leflunomide
- Bcg vaccine live + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Alefacept + Leflunomide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Measles vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Leflunomide and Measles vaccine 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. Measles vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which may cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in a patient immunosuppressed by leflunomide. The vaccine response may also be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Measles vaccine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid live vaccines during leflunomide treatment and until drug elimination is confirmed; vaccinate before therapy.
What other medicines interact with Leflunomide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Leflunomide with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Leflunomide page.
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