Drug interactions
Melphalan + Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine
Severity: Moderate
Melphalan and Typhoid polysaccharide 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
Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine is inactivated and cannot cause infection, but melphalan-related immunosuppression may reduce the antibody response. Protection may therefore be incomplete.
What this interaction means in plain words
Melphalan and Typhoid polysaccharide 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 suppression of lymphocyte function reduces the immune response to the vaccine antigen.
What to do
Vaccinate at least 2 weeks before starting melphalan when feasible, or between cycles once counts recover. Reinforce food and water hygiene precautions regardless of vaccination.
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 Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Typhoid polysaccharide 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. Typhoid polysaccharide vaccine is inactivated and cannot cause infection, but melphalan-related immunosuppression may reduce the antibody response. Protection may therefore be incomplete.
How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Typhoid polysaccharide 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 starting melphalan when feasible, or between cycles once counts recover. Reinforce food and water hygiene precautions regardless of vaccination.
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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