Abemaciclib and Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 10, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Abemaciclib
Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Here's what's going on. Abemaciclib (Verzenio) is a cancer medicine that can weaken your immune system. A live vaccine like the adenovirus type 4 vaccine contains a tiny, weakened form of a real germ. Normally your body handles it easily. But if your immune system is turned down by your cancer treatment, that weakened germ could actually cause the infection it was meant to protect you from.
The good news is this is very manageable. Please don't stop either one on your own. Just talk with your oncologist or pharmacist before getting any live vaccine so they can decide on the safest timing for you.
Mechanism: Abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor used in cancer therapy, can produce immunosuppression. Reduced immune competence may permit the attenuated organism in the live adenovirus type 4 vaccine to replicate and cause active infection (a pharmacodynamic, not metabolic, interaction). Neither agent is enzyme-mediated here.
- Direction: increased risk of vaccine-derived infection.
- Evidence: established; general class principle for live vaccines in immunocompromised patients.
- Onset: unspecified.
Management: Severely immunocompromised patients generally should not receive live vaccines. Safety in immunocompromised individuals has not been evaluated. Patients whose malignancy is in remission with restored immunocompetence and chemotherapy discontinued for at least 3 months may be eligible. Coordinate vaccination timing with oncology.
What happens
An increased risk of infection by the live vaccine
Interaction Deep Dive
As a rule, live vaccines should not be given to patients who are severely immunocompromised 2. In immunocompromised individuals, adenovirus type 4 has not been assessed for either safety or efficacy 3. As a rule, live vaccines should not be given to patients who are severely immunocompromised 2. A live vaccine may be administered to individuals with leukemia, lymphoma, or other malignancies provided their disease is in remission, their immunocompetence has been restored, and at least 3 months have passed since chemotherapy was stopped 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Decreased immune response allows live vaccine to produce infection
How to manage this interaction
What your care team typically does:
- Live vaccines are generally avoided while you are significantly immunocompromised on cancer treatment.
- Your team may defer the vaccine until your disease is in remission, your immune system has recovered, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months.
- They may recommend a non-live alternative or adjust timing.
What you should do:
- Keep taking your abemaciclib as prescribed.
- Do not get the adenovirus vaccine (or any live vaccine) without checking first.
- Tell your oncologist and pharmacist about any vaccines you are due for so they can plan safe timing.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abemaciclib and Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live together?
Avoid the live adenovirus type 4 vaccine while on abemaciclib unless your oncologist clears it, because a weakened immune system could let the vaccine cause infection. Ask your care team about safe timing before any live vaccine. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abemaciclib and Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Abemaciclib and Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live interaction managed?
What your care team typically does: Live vaccines are generally avoided while you are significantly immunocompromised on cancer treatment. Your team may defer the vaccine until your disease is in remission, your immune system has recovered, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months. They may recommend a non-live alternative or adjust timing. What you should do: Keep taking your abema… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "established". Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Abemaciclib or Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (3)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Vaccines & Immunizations: altered immunocompetence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atlanta, GA. 2024.
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD): Vaccines & immunizations: contraindications and precautions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atlanta, GA. 2024.
- Product Information: Adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine live oral enteric- coated tablets, adenovirus type 4 and type 7 vaccine live oral enteric coated tablets. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc (per FDA), North Wales, PA, 2019. DailyMed
Keep reading about Abemaciclib
Keep reading about Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
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