Drug interactions
Melphalan + Meningococcal group b vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Melphalan and Meningococcal group b 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
Melphalan may weaken the immune response to meningococcal group B vaccine. Protective antibody titers may be lower than in healthy recipients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Melphalan and Meningococcal group b 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
Cytotoxic immunosuppression by melphalan reduces B- and T-cell responses to vaccine antigens.
What to do
Vaccinate at least 2 weeks before melphalan when possible. Consider revaccination after immune recovery if given during therapy.
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 Melphalan
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Melphalan Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Melphalan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Melphalan with Meningococcal group b vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Meningococcal group b 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. Melphalan may weaken the immune response to meningococcal group B vaccine. Protective antibody titers may be lower than in healthy recipients.
How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Meningococcal group b 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 at least 2 weeks before melphalan when possible. Consider revaccination after immune recovery if given during therapy.
What other medicines interact with Melphalan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Melphalan with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Melphalan page.
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