Drug interactions
Melphalan + Poliovirus vaccine inactivated
Severity: Moderate
Melphalan and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated: 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
Chemotherapy with melphalan may result in a suboptimal antibody response to inactivated poliovirus vaccine. Immunity may be incomplete.
What this interaction means in plain words
Melphalan and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated 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
Avoid vaccinating during chemotherapy if possible and vaccinate before starting. Revaccinate at least 3 months after therapy if immune competence has returned.
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 Poliovirus vaccine inactivated?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated 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. Chemotherapy with melphalan may result in a suboptimal antibody response to inactivated poliovirus vaccine. Immunity may be incomplete.
How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated?
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 vaccinating during chemotherapy if possible and vaccinate before starting. Revaccinate at least 3 months after therapy if immune competence has returned.
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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