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Does Teriflunomide Interact with Leflunomide?

Teriflunomide and Leflunomide have a moderate drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Following oral administration, leflunomide is metabolized to an active metabolite, teriflunomide, which is responsible for essentially all of leflunomide's in vivo activity. Drug interaction studies have been conducted with both ARAVA (leflunomide) and with its active metabolite, teriflunomide, where the metabolite was directly administered to the test subjects. Drugs metabolized by CYP2C8 and OAT3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.

Severity
Moderate
Teriflunomide Class
Pyrimidine Synthesis Inhibitor
Leflunomide Class
Antirheumatic Agent
Management
Monitor for effects
Data Source
U.S. FDA via OpenFDA

What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist

If you are taking Teriflunomide and your doctor is considering prescribing Leflunomide (or vice versa), make sure to:

  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
  • Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
  • Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
  • Ask whether any dosage adjustments are needed
  • Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider
💊 Teriflunomide(Aubagio)+💊 Leflunomide(Arava)

Severity & Interaction Details

🟡
moderate
Be aware — moderate interaction
Documented interaction with manageable risk. May require dose adjustment or monitoring.
Severity scale
MinorContra
On record
Yes
Drug A class
Pyrimidine Synthesis Inhibitor
Drug B class
Antirheumatic Agent
Source
FDA drug label - leflunomide

What this means in plain English

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Following oral administration, leflunomide is metabolized to an active metabolite, teriflunomide, which is responsible for essentially all of leflunomide's in vivo activity. Drug interaction studies have been conducted with both ARAVA (leflunomide) and with its active metabolite, teriflunomide, where the metabolite was directly administered to the test subjects. Drugs metabolized by CYP2C8 and OAT3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs.

About Teriflunomide and Leflunomide

Teriflunomide is a Pyrimidine Synthesis Inhibitor, while Leflunomide is an Antirheumatic Agent. You may recognize them by the brand names Aubagio and Arava. Both medications are taken by mouth. Both Teriflunomide and Leflunomide carry an FDA boxed warning — the agency's most serious safety designation.

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Data integrity: Every interaction shown is extracted directly from official U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH) — no interactions are invented, inferred, or manually edited. Maintained by CheckDrugInteractions.com. See our methodology or report a correction at support@checkdruginteractions.com.

Data sourced from U.S. FDA drug labeling via openFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine, supplemented with a small number of well-established interactions from curated clinical references. For informational purposes only. Always consult your pharmacist or physician.