Drug interactions
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Willow bark
Severity: Moderate
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Willow bark: 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
Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylate exposure after live viral vaccination carries a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome, mainly in children and adolescents.
What this interaction means in plain words
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Willow bark 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
Theoretical association between salicylate exposure and Reye's syndrome after viral infection; not firmly established for vaccine viruses.
What to do
Avoid willow bark and other salicylate products in children for about 6 weeks after live vaccination. Counsel caregivers to report vomiting, lethargy or confusion.
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?
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 Willow bark, 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Measles mumps and rubella vaccine with Willow bark?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Willow bark 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. Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylate exposure after live viral vaccination carries a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome, mainly in children and adolescents.
How serious is the interaction between Measles mumps and rubella vaccine and Willow bark?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid willow bark and other salicylate products in children for about 6 weeks after live vaccination. Counsel caregivers to report vomiting, lethargy or confusion.
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.
