Abemaciclib and Rubella 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
Rubella 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, which is your body's defense against germs. The rubella vaccine is a "live" vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened but living form of the virus. In a healthy person, the immune system easily handles this and builds protection. But if your defenses are lowered by cancer treatment, that weakened virus could actually cause the infection it's meant to prevent, and it could spread in your body.
Because of this real risk, live vaccines like rubella are not given during this kind of treatment. The good news is your care team plans vaccines carefully and can find safe timing or safe options for you.
Contraindicated. Abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor used in cancer therapy, causes immunosuppression (including neutropenia and impaired cellular immunity). Co-administration of the live attenuated rubella vaccine risks uncontrolled vaccine-virus replication and disseminated infection.
- Direction: Reduced host immune response allows the live vaccine strain to produce infection (a pharmacodynamic interaction, not a prodrug/CYP issue).
- Evidence: Established; consistent with CDC guidance contraindicating live vaccines during chemotherapy and long-term immunosuppression.
- Management: Do not administer live rubella vaccine during abemaciclib therapy. 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. Use inactivated alternatives where available and coordinate timing with oncology.
What happens
An increased risk of infection by the live vaccine
Interaction Deep Dive
Because of the potential for disseminated infection with the vaccine virus, rubella virus vaccine should not be given to people who have severe humoral or cellular immunodeficiency, whether primary or acquired 3. CDC guidance states that the rubella vaccine is contraindicated for those with hematologic and solid tumors, those undergoing chemotherapy, those with congenital immunodeficiency, and those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy 2. A live vaccine may be given to individuals with leukemia, lymphoma, or other malignancies once their disease is in remission, their immunocompetence has been restored, and their 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 main rule here is timing. Live vaccines such as rubella are not given while you are on abemaciclib because your immune system is suppressed.
- Keep taking abemaciclib exactly as prescribed. Do not skip or change doses on your own.
- Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on cancer treatment, so they can check whether it is a live vaccine.
- Ask your oncology team before getting any vaccine, and let them plan the safe timing.
- Per CDC guidance, a live vaccine may become an option later, generally once your disease is in remission, your immune system has recovered, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months.
Your care team can coordinate all of this for you.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abemaciclib and Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live together?
Do not receive the live rubella vaccine while being treated with abemaciclib, because your weakened immune system could let the vaccine virus cause a real infection. Always clear any vaccine with your oncology team first. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abemaciclib and Rubella 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 Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live interaction managed?
The main rule here is timing. Live vaccines such as rubella are not given while you are on abemaciclib because your immune system is suppressed. Keep taking abemaciclib exactly as prescribed. Do not skip or change doses on your own. Tell any provider offering a vaccine that you are on cancer treatment, so they can check whether it is a live vaccine. Ask your oncology team before getting any vaccin… 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 Rubella 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 Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
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