Drug interactions
Mercaptopurine + Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent
Severity: Moderate
Mercaptopurine 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
Mercaptopurine suppresses the immune system and may blunt the antibody response to the vaccine. The vaccine is non-live so it is not unsafe, but protection may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mercaptopurine 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.
Mercaptopurine belongs to Oncology; Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Immunosuppression reducing vaccine-induced antibody production.
What to do
Vaccinate when possible before starting immunosuppression, but do not withhold the vaccine in treated patients. Consider checking antibody response in high-risk patients.
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 Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live 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 Mercaptopurine with Pneumococcal vaccine 13-valent?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mercaptopurine 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. Mercaptopurine suppresses the immune system and may blunt the antibody response to the vaccine. The vaccine is non-live so it is not unsafe, but protection may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Mercaptopurine 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: Vaccinate when possible before starting immunosuppression, but do not withhold the vaccine in treated patients. Consider checking antibody response in high-risk patients.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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