Teriflunomide: What You Need to Know
Teriflunomide stays in your body for months — and that matters if you're planning a pregnancy or switching drugs. Teriflunomide (brand name Aubagio) is an oral disease-modifying therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. It reduces immune cell overactivity by blocking pyrimidine synthesis, which helps lower relapse rates and slow disability progression.
Who is it for? Adults with relapsing MS and sometimes patients switching from another therapy. Doctors choose teriflunomide when an oral option is preferred over injectables or infusions. It's taken once daily, usually 7 mg or 14 mg tablets. Common side effects include hair thinning, diarrhea, nausea, and elevated liver enzymes. Serious risks: liver injury, severe infections, and a risk of birth defects. Tell your doctor about liver disease, current infections, or if you might become pregnant.
Before starting, clinicians check baseline labs: liver tests, complete blood count, and a pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential. During treatment, expect regular liver monitoring and reporting any unexplained symptoms like tiredness, jaundice, or dark urine. If you develop severe infection signs, call your healthcare team right away.
Pregnancy and planning: Teriflunomide is teratogenic in animals and linked to human risk. Women who might become pregnant must use reliable contraception during treatment and until the drug is cleared. Because teriflunomide can linger, accelerated elimination with cholestyramine or activated charcoal is used if pregnancy is planned or confirmed. Men planning fatherhood should also discuss risks and elimination with their doctor.
Switching drugs and stopping treatment: Due to the long elimination half-life, stopping teriflunomide doesn't clear it quickly. If you need to switch to a therapy that requires low blood levels, your doctor may use the elimination procedure. If unexpected side effects occur, speak up—some effects are reversible once the drug is out of your system.
How you get monitored
Your doctor usually orders liver tests at baseline, then within the first six months and periodically after. They may check blood counts and ask about infections or skin changes. Keep copies of lab results and report new symptoms promptly.
Speeding drug removal
If pregnancy or severe toxicity happens, doctors use cholestyramine or activated charcoal to speed removal. The protocol usually lasts 11 days and requires follow-up blood tests to confirm low drug levels before stopping precautions or starting other treatments safely.
Drug interactions and vaccines: Teriflunomide can interact with other medications that affect the liver or immune system. Live vaccines are generally avoided while on treatment. Before immunizations or starting a new medicine, check with your neurologist or pharmacist.
Practical tips: Take teriflunomide at the same time each day with or without food. Keep a medication list and lab schedule. Report hair loss or persistent GI troubles; minor issues sometimes improve after a few months. If you miss a dose, follow your prescriber's guidance—do not double up.
If you're weighing teriflunomide as an option, bring this checklist to your appointment: baseline liver tests, pregnancy test if relevant, a list of current meds, and questions about fertility planning. Open communication helps pick the safest, most effective path for your MS care.
Teriflunomide and Liver Function: Monitoring and Managing Risks
In today's blog post, we'll be discussing Teriflunomide and its effects on liver function. Teriflunomide is a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis, but it comes with some potential risks to our liver. It's essential to closely monitor liver function while taking this medication to manage and mitigate any possible side effects. We'll delve into the importance of regular liver function tests and explore some tips on maintaining a healthy liver while using Teriflunomide. Stay tuned for practical advice on ensuring your liver stays in top shape while benefiting from this treatment.
