Drug interactions
Mercaptopurine + Rotavirus oral vaccine live
Severity: Major
Mercaptopurine and Rotavirus oral vaccine live: major 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 may weaken the response to oral rotavirus vaccine and raises the concern of prolonged vaccine-virus infection in an immunosuppressed person. Infants exposed to these drugs, for example through maternal use, may also be affected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mercaptopurine and Rotavirus oral vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Purine antimetabolite immunosuppression reduces vaccine response and permits replication of live attenuated virus.
What to do
Avoid rotavirus vaccine in patients with clinically significant immunosuppression from mercaptopurine. Follow local guidance on timing for infants with in-utero or breast-milk exposure.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mercaptopurine with Rotavirus oral vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Mercaptopurine and Rotavirus oral vaccine live can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Mercaptopurine may weaken the response to oral rotavirus vaccine and raises the concern of prolonged vaccine-virus infection in an immunosuppressed person. Infants exposed to these drugs, for example through maternal use, may also be affected.
How serious is the interaction between Mercaptopurine and Rotavirus oral vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid rotavirus vaccine in patients with clinically significant immunosuppression from mercaptopurine. Follow local guidance on timing for infants with in-utero or breast-milk exposure.
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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