Bcg (Tice Strain) (BCG live)

No dosing information is available for this tab.

BCG is administered by intravesical instillation after reconstitution. Do not inject subcutaneously or IV.

Intact vials of BCG lyophilized powder for intravesical instillation should be refrigerated at 2-8degreesC. The powder should be protected from direct sunlight.

To prepare the suspension, withdraw 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection at 4-25degreesC into a small syringe (e.g., 3 mL) and add to 1 vial of TICE(R) BCG to resuspend; avoid the use of bacteriostatic solutions. Ensure that the needle is inserted through the center of the rubber stopper of the vial. Gently swirl vial until a homogenous suspension is obtained. Avoid forceful agitation, which may cause clumping of the mycobacteria. Dilute the cloudy BCG suspension in sterile, preservative-free saline to a final volume of 50 mL. Mix the suspension gently prior to intravesical instillation. Do not filter contents of the BCG vial. Store the reconstituted suspension refrigerated (2-8degreesC) and protect from exposure to direct sunlight; use within 2 hours and discard any unused portion.

After reconstitution, instill the BCG suspension into the bladder by gravity flow via a catheter. After instillation is complete, remove the catheter; BCG should be retained in the patient's bladder for 2 hours and then voided. Patients unable to retain the suspension for 2 hours should be allowed to void sooner, if necessary. While BCG is retained in the bladder, patients should be repositioned every 15 minutes to maximize bladder surface exposure to the drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Bcg Vaccines/Mefloquine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Mefloquine may attenuate the immunization response to vaccines with attenuated live bacteria, such as BCG vaccine.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use may make the vaccine ineffective.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of mefloquine states that vaccinations with vaccines containing attenuated live bacteria should be completed three days before the initiation of mefloquine.(1)

DISCUSSION: The manufacturer of mefloquine states that attenuation of immunization response to vaccines with attenuated live bacteria cannot be excluded and therefore the manufacturer of mefloquine states that vaccinations with vaccines containing attenuated live bacteria should be completed three days before the initiation of mefloquine.(1)

Live Vaccines/Vusolimogene Oderparepvec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: The interaction potential of live virus vaccines with vusolimogene oderparepvec is unknown.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent administration of live vaccines with vusolimogene oderparepvec may alter the effectiveness or toxicities of either agent.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of vusolimogene oderparepvec states that vaccines containing live attenuated viruses should be avoided during vusolimogene oderparepvec therapy.(2) Patients should be advised that their cancer gene therapy may be delayed due to administration of vaccines.(3)

DISCUSSION: The concomitant use of live attenuated vaccines and vusolimogene oderparepvec has not been evaluated. The manufacturer's recommendation is based on vaccine guidance used in clinical trials.(2)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Selected Immunosuppressive Agents

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: A variety of disease modifying agents suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control(CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) For patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy, vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of chemotherapy by 14 days. Patients vaccinated while on immunosuppressive therapy or in the 2 weeks prior to starting therapy should be considered unimmunized and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after discontinuation of therapy.(1) Patients who receive anti-B cell therapies should not receive live vaccines for at least 6 months after such therapies due to a prolonged duration of immunosuppression. An exception is the Zoster vaccine, which can be given at least 1 month after receipt of anti-B cell therapies.(1) The US manufacturer of abatacept states live vaccines should not be given during or for up to 3 months after discontinuation of abatacept.(2) The US manufacturer of live BCG for intravesicular treatment of bladder cancer states use is contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients.(3) The US manufacturer of daclizumab states live vaccines are not recommended during and for up to 4 months after discontinuation of treatment.(4) The US manufacturer of guselkumab states that live vaccines should be avoided during treatment with guselkumab.(5) The US manufacturer of inebilizumab-cdon states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation until B-cell repletion. Administer all live vaccinations at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of inebilizumab-cdon.(6) The US manufacturer of ocrelizumab states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion occurs after discontinuation of therapy. Administer all live vaccines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of ocrelizumab.(7) The US manufacturer of ozanimod states that live vaccines should be avoided during and for up to 3 months after discontinuation of ozanimod.(8) The US manufacturer of siponimod states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and for up to 4 weeks after discontinuation of treatment.(9) The US manufacturer of ustekinumab states BCG vaccines should not be given in the year prior to, during, or the year after ustekinumab therapy.(10) The US manufacturer of satralizumab-mwge states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and should be administered at least four weeks prior to initiation of satralizumab-mwge.(11) The US manufacturer of ublituximab-xiiy states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and until B-cell recovery. Live vaccines should be administered at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of ublituximab-xiiy.(12) The US manufacturer of etrasimod states that live vaccines should be avoided during and for 5 weeks after treatment. Live vaccines should be administered at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of etrasimod.(13) The US manufacturer of emapalumab-lzsg states that live vaccines should not be administered to patients receiving emapalumab-lzsg and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose of emapalumab-lzsg. The safety of immunization with live vaccines during or following emapalumab-lzsg therapy has not been studied.(14) The US manufacturer of sibeprenlimab-szsi states live vaccines should not be given within 30 days prior to initiation or during treatment with sibeprenlimab-szsi.(15)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(1)

Selected Immunosuppressants/Nadofaragene Firadenovec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Nadofaragene firadenovec may contain low levels of replication-competent adenovirus.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of nadofaragene firadenovec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause disseminated adenovirus infection.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Individuals who are immunosuppressed or immune-deficient should not receive nadofaragene firadenovec.(1)

DISCUSSION: Nadofaragene firadenovec is a non-replicating adenoviral vector-based gene therapy but may contain low levels of replication-competent adenovirus. Immunocompromised persons, including those receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may be at risk for disseminated adenovirus infection.(1)

Selected Immunosuppressants/Talimogene Laherparepvec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Talimogene laherparepvec is a live, attenuated herpes simplex virus.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of talimogene laherparepvec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause a life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Talimogene laherparepvec is contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients.(1) The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks due to immunosuppressant drugs should be determined by a physician.

DISCUSSION: Concurrent use of talimogene laherparepvec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause a life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection.(1)

Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

Immunosuppressives; Immunomodulators/Filgotinib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may result in additive or synergistic effects on the immune system.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic DMARDs, or other JAK inhibitors may increase the risk of serious infections.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The UK manufacturer of filgotinib states that concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic DMARDs, or other JAK inhibitors is not recommended.(1)

DISCUSSION: Serious infections have been reported in patients receiving filgotinib. Caution should be used in patients with a higher incidence of serious infection, including elderly patients aged 75 years and older.(1)

Live Bcg/Selected Antimycobacterials

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live, attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) used to induce a granulomatous response in the treatment of localized bladder cancer and as a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.(1-2) Co-treatment with antibacterial agents active against M.bovis may lead to an attenuation of the immune response associated with BCG administration.(1-2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The effectiveness of chemotherapy may be impaired, or the vaccine may be ineffective. Agents linked to this monograph may have activity against M.bovis: amikacin, capreomycin, ciprofloxacin, clofazimine, cycloserine, ethambutol, ethionamide, gatifloxacin, isoniazid, kanamycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, and streptomycin.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Intravesical instillation of BCG should be postponed during treatment with antibacterials which may decrease effectiveness.(2) Administration of BCG vaccine to patients receiving antibiotic therapy should only be done under close medical supervision.(1) If a patient develops a systemic BCG infection due to intravesicular or vaccine administration, treatment with multiple antimycobacterial agents may be required.

DISCUSSION: Because antibiotic therapy may prevent sufficient vaccine-organism replication to generate an immune response, the manufacturer of BCG vaccine states that administration of BCG vaccine to patients receiving antibiotic therapy should only be done under close medical supervision.(1) Pyrazinamide is not included in this interaction as BCG is not sensitive to pyrazinamide.(2)

Live Vaccines/Brensocatib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Brensocatib may suppress the immune system by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1). Brensocatib prevents the activation of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) during neutrophil maturation in the bone marrow.(1) Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained. The vaccine may result in illness. Immune response to live vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The coadministration of live vaccines and brensocatib should be avoided.(1) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live-attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(2)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(2) The concomitant use of live attenuated vaccines and brensocatib has not been evaluated. Brensocatib may suppress the immune system by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1).(1)

Live Vaccines/Systemic Corticosteroids; Corticotropin (Acth)

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Corticosteroids and corticotropin suppress the immune system. In severely immunocompromised patients, virus replication after administration of live, attenuated-virus vaccines can be enhanced and/or the immune response to the vaccine may be decreased.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids or corticotropin for equal to or greater than 14 consecutive days.(1)

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are severely immunosuppressed, including those who are receiving or have received high-dose, systemic steroids for greater than or equal to 14 consecutive days. Live vaccines should be deferred for at least 1 month after discontinuation of high-dose systemic steroids administered for 14 consecutive days. When initiating immunosuppressives doses of corticosteroids, wait 4 weeks after a live vaccines is administered. However, if patients require therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions, do not delay therapy due to past vaccines. Patients who are vaccinated within the 14 days prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy should be considered unvaccinated and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after immunosuppressive therapy is discontinued.(1) The US manufacturer of corticotropin(2) and triamcinolone(3) and the Australian manufacturer of dexamethasone(4) state that administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids or corticotropin. The manufacturer of deflazacort states that live or live-attenuated vaccines should be administered at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to initiation of therapy with deflazacort.(5)

DISCUSSION: Many clinicians consider a dose equivalent to either 2 mg/kg of body weight or a total of 20 mg/day of prednisone as sufficiently immunosuppressive to raise safety concerns about live-virus vaccines.(1) Immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients receiving corticosteroids when the therapy is short term (less than 2 weeks); low to moderate dose; long-term, alternate-day treatment with short-acting preparations; maintenance physiologic doses (replacement therapy); or administered topically (skin or eyes), by aerosol, or by intra-articular, bursal, or tendon injection.(1) Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Hydroxyurea

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Hydroxyurea may suppress the immune system.(1) Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(2) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies), treatments (e.g. radiation) and cytotoxic drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Recommendations for administration of live vaccines in patients on hydroxyurea are dependent on the indication. The US manufacturers of hydroxyurea recommend avoiding live vaccine use in patients taking hydroxyurea. Evaluate hematologic status prior to and during treatment with hydroxyurea. Provide supportive care and modify the dose or discontinue hydroxyurea as needed.(1) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician. Patients who are vaccinated within the 14 days prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy should be considered unvaccinated and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after immunosuppressive therapy is discontinued.(2) The ACIP recommendations state that routine vaccinations patients with secondary immunodeficiency such as sickle cell disease are likely effective. Live viral and bacterial vaccines are contraindicated in patients with generalized malignant neoplasm, immunosuppressive, or radiation therapy, depending on immune status.(4)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(2) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(2) A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in infants and young children with sickle cell disease (BABY HUG) studied the response to pneumococcal and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines in patients using hydroxyurea. The authors concluded that hydroxyurea does not appear to have significant deleterious effects on the immune function of infants and children with sickle cell disease. Additional assessments of lymphocyte parameters of hydroxyurea-treated children may be warranted. No changes in current immunization schedules are recommended; however, for endemic disease or epidemics, adherence to accelerated immunization schedules for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine should be reinforced.(5)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Teplizumab

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Teplizumab may cause lymphopenia and suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1,2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained. The vaccine may result in illness.(1,2) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live-attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) Vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of teplizumab therapy by 8 weeks. Live vaccines are not recommended within the 8 weeks prior to, during, or for 52 weeks after stopping teplizumab therapy.(2)

DISCUSSION: Vaccinations may be less effective if administered within 8 weeks before, during, and for 52 weeks following teplizumab therapy.(2) Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1)

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Immunosuppressives; Immunomodulators/Covid-19 Vaccines

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators may prevent the immune system from properly responding to the COVID-19 vaccine.(1-3)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Administration of a COVID-19 vaccine with immunosuppressants or immunomodulators may interfere with vaccine-induced immune response and impair the efficacy of the vaccine. However, patients should be offered and given a COVID-19 vaccine even if the use and timing of immunosuppressive agents cannot be adjusted.(1-3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),(1) Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA),(2) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)(3) have published guidances for COVID-19 vaccination in patients on immunosuppressants. The CDC states that all immunocompromised patients over 6 months of age should receive at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine if eligible. See the CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for specific recommendations based on age, vaccination history, and vaccine manufacturer.(1) The CDC advises planning for vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting or resuming immunosuppressive therapy.(1) IDSA recommends timing COVID-19 vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting or at least 3 months after completing immunosuppressive therapy.(2) The ACR states that in general, immunosuppressants and immunomodulators should be held for 1-2 weeks after each vaccine dose.(3) Patients should be offered and given a COVID-19 vaccine even if the use and timing of immunosuppressive agents cannot be adjusted, though the immune response will likely be blunted. COVID-19 vaccines should not be delayed in patients taking immunosuppressive therapies.(1-2) See below for specific recommendations for certain agents. B-cell depleting agents, including rituximab: The CDC states that the utility of B-cell quantification to guide clinical care is not known and is not recommended. Patients who receive B-cell depleting therapy on a continuing basis should receive COVID-19 vaccines about 4 weeks before the next scheduled dose. For patients who received 1 or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine during treatment with B-cell-depleting therapies that were administered over a limited period (e.g., as part of a treatment regimen for certain malignancies), revaccination may be considered according to the current CDC recommendations for unvaccinated patients. The suggested interval to start revaccination is about 6 months after completion of the B-cell-depleting therapy.(1) IDSA recommends waiting for at least 3-6 months after the last infusion of B-cell depleting therapy before administering COVID-19 vaccines.(2) The ACR recommends consulting with the rheumatologist to determine optimal timing of COVID-19 vaccination. Measuring CD19 B cells may be considered to determine need for a booster vaccine dose. If B cell levels are not measured, a supplemental vaccine dose 2-4 weeks before the next scheduled dose of rituximab is recommended.(3) Recipients of hematopoietic cell transplant or CAR-T-cell therapy who received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine prior to or during treatment should undergo revaccination following the current CDC recommendations for unvaccinated patients. Revaccination should start at least 3 months (12 weeks) after transplant or CAR-T-cell therapy.(1,2) The CDC includes abatacept, cyclophosphamide, and TNF-alpha and cytokine inhibitors in their general recommendation to hold therapy for at least 2 weeks following vaccination (1) while the ACR provides different recommendations:(3) *Abatacept: - Subcutaneous abatacept should be withheld for 1-2 weeks after each vaccine dose, as disease activity allows. - For intravenous abatacept, time administration so that vaccination will occur 1 week before the next abatacept infusion. *Cyclophosphamide: When feasible, administer cyclophosphamide 1 week after each COVID-19 vaccine dose. *TNF-alpha inhibitors and cytokine inhibitors: The ACR was not able to reach consensus on whether to modify dosing or timing of these agents with COVID-19 vaccination.

DISCUSSION: IDSA recommendations are based on cohort and case control studies in immunocompromised patients that found low to modest vaccine effectiveness (37-61%) but lower risks of COVID-19 association hospitalization, COVID-19 related mortality, and critical illness.(2) The ACR convened a COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Task Force to provide guidance on optimal use of COVID-19 vaccines in rheumatology patients. These recommendations are based on limited clinical evidence of COVID-19 vaccines in patients without rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders and evidence of other vaccines in this patient population.(3) The ACR recommendation for rituximab is based on studies of humoral immunity following receipt of other vaccines. These studies have uncertain generalizability to vaccination against COVID-19, as it is unknown if efficacy is attributable to induction of host T cells versus B cell (antibody-based) immunity.(3) The ACR recommendation for mycophenolate is based on preexisting data of mycophenolate on non-COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. Emerging data suggests that mycophenolate may impair SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease and transplant patients.(3) The ACR recommendation for methotrexate is based on data from influenza vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines with methotrexate.(3) The ACR recommendation for JAK inhibitors is based on concerns related to the effects of JAK inhibitors on interferon signaling that may result in a diminished vaccine response.(3) The ACR recommendation for subcutaneous abatacept is based on several studies suggesting a negative effect of abatacept on vaccine immunogenicity. The first vaccine dose primes naive T cells, naive T cell priming is inhibited by CTLA-4, and abatacept is a CTLA-4Ig construct. CTLA-4 should not inhibit boosts of already primed T cells at the time of the second vaccine dose.(3)

*Immunosuppressed patients with congenital or acquired immune deficiencies, whether due to concurrent disease (e.g., AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma), cancer therapy (e.g., cytotoxic drugs, radiation), or immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., corticosteroids).

*Patients with increased risk of BCG infection.

*Patients with active tuberculosis.

• Active tuberculosis
• HIV infection
• Hypogammaglobulinemia
• Immunosuppression
• Leukemia
• Malignant lymphoma
• Pregnancy
• Sarcoidosis

• BCG infection
• Fever
• Hematuria
• Urinary tract infection

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

Bladder irritability is a common adverse effect of intravesical BCG, reported in approximately 60% of patients. Other common adverse effects occurring at a frequency of >=5% include dysuria, urinary frequency, flu-like syndrome, hematuria, fever, malaise/fatigue, cystitis, urgency, and nocturia.

More Frequent

• Granulomatous prostatitis

Less Frequent

• Hemorrhagic cystitis

Rare or Very Rare

• Abnormal hepatic function tests
• BCG infection
• Epididymitis
• Hepatitis
• Leukopenia

More Frequent

• Bladder irritability
• Dysuria
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Hematuria
• Increased urinary frequency

Less Frequent

• Acute abdominal pain
• Anorexia
• Chills
• Cramps
• Cystitis
• Dizziness
• Headache disorder
• Hyperhidrosis
• Malaise
• Myalgia
• Nocturia
• Skin rash
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary tract infection
• Urinary urgency
• Weight loss

Rare or Very Rare

• Nausea and vomiting
• Prostatitis

No enhanced messaging available.

Safety and effectiveness of intravesical BCG for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer in pediatric patients have not been established.

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with intravesical BCG. It is also not known whether BCG can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or affect reproductive capacity. Intravesical BCG should not be given to a pregnant woman except when clearly needed.

It is not known whether intravesical BCG is excreted into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from BCG in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of intravesical BCG, the average age was 66 years. No overall difference in safety or effectiveness was observed between older and younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in response between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals to BCG cannot be ruled out.