Drug interactions
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Rituximab
Severity: Major
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Rituximab: 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
Rituximab depletes B cells for months, impairing vaccine response. Live vaccines carry a risk of vaccine-strain infection and are not recommended.
What this interaction means in plain words
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Rituximab 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.
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine belongs to Miscellaneous; Rituximab belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Anti-CD20 B-cell depletion impairs immune response and control of live attenuated virus.
What to do
Avoid live vaccines during rituximab therapy and until B-cell recovery. Give needed live vaccines at least 4 weeks before starting.
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 Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Rituximab, 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 Measles mumps and rubella vaccine
- Adalimumab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Anakinra + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Basiliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rituximab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Measles mumps and rubella vaccine with Rituximab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Rituximab 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. Rituximab depletes B cells for months, impairing vaccine response. Live vaccines carry a risk of vaccine-strain infection and are not recommended.
How serious is the interaction between Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Rituximab?
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 vaccines during rituximab therapy and until B-cell recovery. Give needed live vaccines at least 4 weeks before starting.
What other medicines interact with Measles mumps and rubella vaccine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Measles mumps and rubella vaccine with, for example, Adalimumab, Anakinra, Antithymocyte globulin equine. The full list is on the Measles mumps and rubella vaccine 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.
