Mesalamine and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Mesalamine
Varicella 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.
What happens
Increased risk of developing Reye syndrome
Interaction Deep Dive
Avoid the use of salicylates or salicylate-containing products in children and adolescents 12 months through 17 years of age for 6 weeks after live varicella vaccination. Although no cases of Reye syndrome have been observed after live varicella vaccination, Reye syndrome has been reported after the use of salicylates during wild-type varicella infection1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Common questions
Can I take Mesalamine and Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live together?
Increased risk of developing Reye syndrome Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Mesalamine and Varicella Virus Vaccine, 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 "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Mesalamine or Varicella 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 (1)
- Product Information: VARIVAX(R) vaccine live subcutaneous injection, varicella virus vaccine live subcutaneous injection. Merck & Co Inc (per FDA), Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2017. DailyMed
Keep reading about Mesalamine
Keep reading about Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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