Drug interactions
Mycophenolate mofetil + Yellow fever vaccine
Severity: Contraindicated
Mycophenolate mofetil and Yellow fever vaccine: 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
Yellow fever vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which can replicate excessively in patients receiving mycophenolate and cause vaccine-related disease. The immune response to the vaccine may also be inadequate, leaving the patient unprotected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mycophenolate mofetil and Yellow fever vaccine 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
Mycophenolate suppresses T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation, impairing control of the live attenuated virus and blunting the vaccine response.
What to do
Do not give the live vaccine during mycophenolate therapy; vaccinate before starting immunosuppression when possible, or advise on travel alternatives and a medical exemption letter.
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 Mycophenolate mofetil
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Mycophenolate mofetil Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mycophenolate mofetil with Yellow fever vaccine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Mycophenolate mofetil and Yellow fever vaccine 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. Yellow fever vaccine contains live attenuated virus, which can replicate excessively in patients receiving mycophenolate and cause vaccine-related disease. The immune response to the vaccine may also be inadequate, leaving the patient unprotected.
How serious is the interaction between Mycophenolate mofetil and Yellow fever vaccine?
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 the live vaccine during mycophenolate therapy; vaccinate before starting immunosuppression when possible, or advise on travel alternatives and a medical exemption letter.
What other medicines interact with Mycophenolate mofetil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mycophenolate mofetil with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Mycophenolate mofetil page.
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