Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Leflunomide and Tick-borne encephalitis 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
The inactivated tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is safe to give, but leflunomide may blunt the antibody response and leave patients less protected. This is relevant to people living in or travelling to endemic areas.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Tick-borne encephalitis 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
Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by leflunomide's active metabolite may reduce vaccine-induced immunity.
What to do
Vaccinate when needed and consider checking antibody titres after the primary series. Complete vaccination before starting leflunomide when possible.
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 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 + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Leflunomide and Tick-borne encephalitis 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. The inactivated tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is safe to give, but leflunomide may blunt the antibody response and leave patients less protected. This is relevant to people living in or travelling to endemic areas.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Tick-borne encephalitis 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 when needed and consider checking antibody titres after the primary series. Complete vaccination before starting leflunomide when possible.
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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