Relugolix and Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Relugolix
Mumps 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.
This is an important safety concern. Relugolix (Orgovyx) is used to treat prostate cancer by lowering testosterone. Being treated for cancer can weaken your body's defenses. The mumps vaccine is a live vaccine, which means it contains a weakened but living virus. In someone whose immune system is not working at full strength, that weakened virus can actually cause the infection it is meant to protect against, and it can spread through the body.
Because of this, the live mumps vaccine is generally not given during this kind of cancer treatment. Please do not get any vaccine without first checking with your oncologist or pharmacist. They can pick the right timing and the safest option for you.
Contraindicated combination. Relugolix (a GnRH receptor antagonist for prostate cancer) is not itself immunosuppressive, but the underlying malignancy and cancer-directed therapy can compromise humoral and cellular immunity. Live attenuated vaccines pose a risk in this setting.
- Direction/effect: impaired immune response permits uncontrolled replication of the live mumps virus, risking disseminated vaccine-strain infection.
- Evidence: established; onset unspecified.
- Management: Do not administer live mumps vaccine to patients with malignancy or significant immunocompromise per CDC guidance. Live vaccines may be considered once disease is in remission, immunocompetence is restored, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months.
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, mumps virus vaccine should not be given to people who have severe humoral or cellular immunodeficiency, whether primary or acquired 3. According to CDC recommendations, this vaccine is contraindicated for patients who have hematologic and solid tumors, who are undergoing chemotherapy, who have a congenital immunodeficiency, or who are 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
What your care team typically does:
- Live vaccines such as the mumps vaccine are usually avoided during active cancer treatment because of the risk of a vaccine-strain infection.
- Your team will review your immune status and the timing of your therapy before any vaccination.
- Per CDC guidance, a live vaccine may be given later once your disease is in remission, your immune function has recovered, and chemotherapy has been stopped for at least 3 months.
What you should do: Keep taking your relugolix as prescribed, and do not receive any live vaccine without first talking to your oncologist or pharmacist. Always tell any new provider about your cancer treatment.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Relugolix and Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live together?
Do not receive the live mumps vaccine while being treated for cancer with relugolix; check with your oncologist or pharmacist first, as a safe time for vaccination can be planned once your immune system has recovered. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Relugolix and Mumps 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 Relugolix and Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live interaction managed?
What your care team typically does: Live vaccines such as the mumps vaccine are usually avoided during active cancer treatment because of the risk of a vaccine-strain infection. Your team will review your immune status and the timing of your therapy before any vaccination. Per CDC guidance, a live vaccine may be given later once your disease is in remission, your immune function has recovered, and… 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 Relugolix or Mumps 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 Relugolix
Keep reading about Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
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