Drug interactions
Sulphasalazine + Varicella virus vaccine live
Severity: Moderate
Sulphasalazine and Varicella virus vaccine live: moderate 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
Sulfasalazine contains a salicylate moiety (5-aminosalicylic acid), and labeling advises avoiding salicylates after varicella vaccine because of Reye syndrome concern. The risk with mesalamine-type salicylates is theoretical and not well documented. Sulfasalazine can also be mildly immunosuppressive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Sulphasalazine and Varicella virus vaccine live can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Theoretical Reye syndrome risk from salicylate exposure after live varicella vaccine infection.
What to do
Where possible, consider delaying vaccination or review whether sulfasalazine needs to continue after it, and counsel caregivers to report febrile illness or vomiting. Follow local immunization guidance for patients on immunomodulators.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Sulphasalazine
- Deferiprone + Sulphasalazine Major
- Pexidartinib + Sulphasalazine Major
- Sepiapterin + Sulphasalazine Major
- Acalabrutinib + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Aceclofenac + Sulphasalazine Moderate
- Acetazolamide + Sulphasalazine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Sulphasalazine with Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Sulphasalazine and Varicella virus vaccine live can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Sulfasalazine contains a salicylate moiety (5-aminosalicylic acid), and labeling advises avoiding salicylates after varicella vaccine because of Reye syndrome concern. The risk with mesalamine-type salicylates is theoretical and not well documented. Sulfasalazine can also be mildly immunosuppressive.
How serious is the interaction between Sulphasalazine and Varicella virus vaccine live?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where possible, consider delaying vaccination or review whether sulfasalazine needs to continue after it, and counsel caregivers to report febrile illness or vomiting. Follow local immunization guidance for patients on immunomodulators.
What other medicines interact with Sulphasalazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sulphasalazine with, for example, Deferiprone, Pexidartinib, Sepiapterin. The full list is on the Sulphasalazine page.
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