Drug interactions
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisone
Severity: Major
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live and Prednisone: 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
Immunosuppressive doses of prednisone can blunt the immune response to the live attenuated MMR vaccine and allow uncontrolled vaccine virus replication. This can lead to vaccine-strain disease and an inadequate protective antibody response.
What this interaction means in plain words
Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live and Prednisone 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
Corticosteroid-induced suppression of cellular and humoral immunity reduces vaccine immunogenicity and permits replication of the live attenuated virus.
What to do
With high-dose or prolonged prednisone therapy, defer live vaccination until at least 1 month after stopping the steroid, in line with local immunization guidance. Low-dose, short-course, or topical or replacement use is generally not a barrier; check serology or revaccinate if given during immunosuppression.
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?
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Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live and Prednisone 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. Immunosuppressive doses of prednisone can blunt the immune response to the live attenuated MMR vaccine and allow uncontrolled vaccine virus replication. This can lead to vaccine-strain disease and an inadequate protective antibody response.
How serious is the interaction between Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live and Prednisone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: With high-dose or prolonged prednisone therapy, defer live vaccination until at least 1 month after stopping the steroid, in line with local immunization guidance. Low-dose, short-course, or topical or replacement use is generally not a barrier; check serology or revaccinate if given during immunosuppression.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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