Drug interactions
Mesalamine + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Major
Mesalamine and Varicella virus 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
Mesalamine is a 5-aminosalicylate, and salicylate use after live varicella vaccination has been linked to Reye's syndrome in children. Systemic salicylate exposure from mesalamine is low, so the risk is theoretical but is included in labeling.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mesalamine and Varicella virus 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
Salicylate exposure after live varicella virus vaccination is thought to predispose to Reye's syndrome; the precise mechanism is not established.
What to do
Avoid salicylate-containing products, including mesalamine, for about 6 weeks after vaccination in children and adolescents where possible. If mesalamine is essential, weigh the risks and benefits and counsel caregivers to report vomiting or altered behavior.
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 Mesalamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mesalamine with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Mesalamine and Varicella virus 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. Mesalamine is a 5-aminosalicylate, and salicylate use after live varicella vaccination has been linked to Reye's syndrome in children. Systemic salicylate exposure from mesalamine is low, so the risk is theoretical but is included in labeling.
How serious is the interaction between Mesalamine and Varicella virus 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 salicylate-containing products, including mesalamine, for about 6 weeks after vaccination in children and adolescents where possible. If mesalamine is essential, weigh the risks and benefits and counsel caregivers to report vomiting or altered behavior.
What other medicines interact with Mesalamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mesalamine with, for example, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live, Aceclofenac, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Mesalamine page.
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