Drug interactions
Melphalan + Zoster vaccine recombinant
Severity: Moderate
Melphalan and Zoster vaccine recombinant: 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 reduce the immune response to recombinant zoster vaccine. Because the vaccine is non-live, it is safe to give but may be less effective.
What this interaction means in plain words
Melphalan and Zoster vaccine recombinant 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 before melphalan when possible. If given during therapy, complete the two-dose series and consider timing around immune recovery.
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 Zoster vaccine recombinant?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Melphalan and Zoster vaccine recombinant 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 reduce the immune response to recombinant zoster vaccine. Because the vaccine is non-live, it is safe to give but may be less effective.
How serious is the interaction between Melphalan and Zoster vaccine recombinant?
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 before melphalan when possible. If given during therapy, complete the two-dose series and consider timing around immune recovery.
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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