Drug interactions
Methylprednisolone + Smallpox vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Methylprednisolone and Smallpox vaccine live: contraindicated 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
Live vaccinia vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia and generalized infection in immunosuppressed patients, including those on corticosteroids. The vaccine response may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylprednisolone and Smallpox vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression allows uncontrolled replication of live vaccinia virus.
What to do
Avoid live smallpox vaccine in patients on immunosuppressive steroids outside an emergency. If exposure risk is high, use a non-replicating vaccine where available and obtain specialist advice.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylprednisolone with Smallpox vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Methylprednisolone and Smallpox vaccine live are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Live vaccinia vaccine can cause progressive vaccinia and generalized infection in immunosuppressed patients, including those on corticosteroids. The vaccine response may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Methylprednisolone and Smallpox vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid live smallpox vaccine in patients on immunosuppressive steroids outside an emergency. If exposure risk is high, use a non-replicating vaccine where available and obtain specialist advice.
What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.
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