Drug interactions
Methylprednisolone + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Contraindicated
Methylprednisolone and Varicella virus vaccine live: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in patients with significant corticosteroid immunosuppression, and the immune response may be impaired. Risk is higher with high-dose or prolonged steroid courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylprednisolone and Varicella virus 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 suppression of cell-mediated immunity permits uncontrolled replication of the live attenuated virus.
What to do
Do not give live varicella vaccine during immunosuppressive steroid doses; defer until about one month after stopping high-dose therapy. Consider vaccinating before starting steroids when timing allows, and check immune status for exposed patients.
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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References
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 Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Methylprednisolone and Varicella virus 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 varicella vaccine can cause disseminated vaccine-strain infection in patients with significant corticosteroid immunosuppression, and the immune response may be impaired. Risk is higher with high-dose or prolonged steroid courses.
How serious is the interaction between Methylprednisolone and Varicella virus 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: Do not give live varicella vaccine during immunosuppressive steroid doses; defer until about one month after stopping high-dose therapy. Consider vaccinating before starting steroids when timing allows, and check immune status for exposed patients.
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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