Drug interactions
Melphalan + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent
Severity: Moderate
Melphalan and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent: 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-induced immunosuppression can blunt the response to the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine. This is clinically relevant because patients treated with melphalan, such as those with myeloma, are at high risk of pneumococcal infection.
What this interaction means in plain words
Melphalan and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent 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 belongs to Oncology; Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Cytotoxic suppression of lymphocyte function reduces vaccine immunogenicity.
What to do
Give the vaccine at least 2 weeks before melphalan where feasible. If given during therapy, revaccinate at least 3 months after completing treatment.
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
Other interactions of Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent
- Adalimumab + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Alefacept + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Anakinra + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Anti-thymocyte + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Melphalan with Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent 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-induced immunosuppression can blunt the response to the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine. This is clinically relevant because patients treated with melphalan, such as those with myeloma, are at high risk of pneumococcal infection.
How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give the vaccine at least 2 weeks before melphalan where feasible. If given during therapy, revaccinate at least 3 months after completing treatment.
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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