Abemaciclib and Measles Virus Vaccine, 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
Measles Virus Vaccine, 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.
Abemaciclib (Verzenio) is a cancer medicine that can weaken your immune system. The measles vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened but still living form of the virus. In a healthy body, your immune system easily handles that weakened virus and builds protection. But when your defenses are lowered by cancer treatment, that live virus can grow out of control and actually cause a serious infection.
Because of this, a live measles vaccine should not be given while you are on this kind of treatment. The good news is your care team knows this and can plan the right timing and safe vaccine options for you. Always check with your oncologist or pharmacist before getting any vaccine.
Contraindicated combination. Abemaciclib is a CDK4/6 inhibitor used for breast cancer and, as antineoplastic therapy, produces immunosuppression (including myelosuppression). Live attenuated measles vaccine relies on limited viral replication in an immunocompetent host.
- Direction/effect: Blunted immune response permits uncontrolled replication of the vaccine strain, risking disseminated vaccine-virus infection. This is not a prodrug/metabolic interaction.
- Evidence: Established; consistent with CDC guidance.
- Management: Do not administer live measles vaccine during chemotherapy/immunosuppression. Per CDC, live vaccination may be considered once disease is in remission, immunocompetence is restored, and chemotherapy has been discontinued for at least 3 months. Prefer completing needed live vaccines before initiating therapy.
What happens
An increased risk of infection by the live vaccine
Interaction Deep Dive
Because of the danger of widespread vaccine virus infection, the measles virus vaccine should not be given to people who have severe humoral or cellular immunodeficiency, whether primary or acquired 3. The CDC advises that this vaccine is contraindicated for individuals with hematologic and solid tumors, those undergoing chemotherapy, those with congenital immunodeficiency, or those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy 2. A live vaccine may be given to patients who have leukemia, lymphoma, or other malignancies that are in remission, provided their immunocompetence has been restored and chemotherapy has been stopped for a minimum of 3 months 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Decreased immune response allows live vaccine to produce infection
How to manage this interaction
The key point: do not receive a live measles vaccine while you are being treated with abemaciclib. Your immune system is lowered by this cancer therapy, and a live vaccine could cause a real infection.
- Keep taking your abemaciclib exactly as prescribed. Do not change your cancer treatment on your own.
- Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on cancer treatment.
- Ask your oncologist or pharmacist about timing. Live vaccines may become an option once your disease is in remission, your immune system has recovered, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months.
- Whenever possible, needed live vaccines are given before starting therapy.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abemaciclib and Measles Virus Vaccine, Live together?
Do not get the live measles vaccine while on abemaciclib, because your weakened immune system could let the vaccine virus cause an infection. Talk to your oncologist or pharmacist about safe timing. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abemaciclib and Measles Virus Vaccine, Live interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
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 Measles Virus Vaccine, Live interaction managed?
The key point: do not receive a live measles vaccine while you are being treated with abemaciclib. Your immune system is lowered by this cancer therapy, and a live vaccine could cause a real infection. Keep taking your abemaciclib exactly as prescribed. Do not change your cancer treatment on your own. Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on cancer treatment. Ask your oncologist or pha… 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 Measles Virus Vaccine, 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: PRIORIX subcutaneous suspension, measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, live subcutaneous suspension. GlaxoSmithKline (per manufacturer), Research Triangle Park, NC, 2022. DailyMed
Keep reading about Abemaciclib
Keep reading about Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
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