Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Major
Leflunomide and Varicella virus 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
Live varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain disease in immunosuppressed patients. Leflunomide impairs cellular immunity needed to control the virus, and the vaccine may also be less effective.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Varicella virus 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.
Why it happens
Leflunomide's active metabolite inhibits lymphocyte proliferation, reducing control of replicating live attenuated virus.
What to do
Avoid live varicella vaccine during leflunomide treatment; immunise at least several weeks before starting if non-immune. Consider drug elimination with cholestyramine before vaccination if it is unavoidable.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Leflunomide and Varicella virus 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Leflunomide and Varicella virus 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. Live varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain disease in immunosuppressed patients. Leflunomide impairs cellular immunity needed to control the virus, and the vaccine may also be less effective.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Varicella virus 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: Avoid live varicella vaccine during leflunomide treatment; immunise at least several weeks before starting if non-immune. Consider drug elimination with cholestyramine before vaccination if it is unavoidable.
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.
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.
