Drug Reference

Teriflunomide

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors

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Therapeutic class
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors
Action class
Pyrimidine Synthesis Inhibitor
Mechanism
Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Aubagio

Available as

14 MG · Oral Tablet7 MG · Oral Tablet

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

⚠ Boxed warning
WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY and EMBRYOFETAL TOXICITY • Hepatotoxicity: Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with teriflunomide tablets in the postmarketing setting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Concomitant use of teriflunomide tablets with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury. Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of teriflunomide tablets therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for six months after starting teriflunomide tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. If drug induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue teriflunomide tablets and start an accelerated elimination procedure with cholestyramine or charcoal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Teriflunomide tablets are contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Contraindications (4) ] . Patients with pre-existing liver disease may be at increased risk of developing elevated serum transaminases when taking teriflunomide tablets. • Embryofetal Toxicity: Teriflunomide tablets are contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in females of reproductive potential who are not using effective contraception because of the potential for fetal harm. Teratogenicity and embryolethality occurred in animals at plasma teriflunomide exposures lower than that in humans. Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment with teriflunomide tablets in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during teriflunomide tablets treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after teriflunomide tablets treatment. Stop teriflunomide tablets and use an accelerated drug elimination procedure if the patient becomes pregnant [see Contraindications (4) , Warnings and Precautions (5.2 , 5.3) , Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) , and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY and EMBRYOFETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Hepatotoxicity: Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with teriflunomide tablets in the postmarketing setting ( 5.1 ). Concomitant use of teriflunomide tablets with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury. Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of teriflunomide tablets and monitor ALT levels at least monthly for six months ( 5.1 ). If drug induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue teriflunomide tablets and start accelerated elimination procedure ( 5.3 ). • Embryofetal Toxicity: Teratogenicity and embryolethality occurred in animals administered teriflunomide ( 5.2 , 8.1 ). Exclude pregnancy prior to initiating teriflunomide tablets therapy ( 4 , 5.2 , 8
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Teriflunomide tablets are indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Teriflunomide tablets are a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Teriflunomide, an immunomodulatory agent with anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a mitochondrial enzyme involved in de novo pyrimidine synthesis. The exact mechanism by which teriflunomide exerts its therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis is unknown but may involve a reduction in the number of activated lymphocytes in CNS.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose of teriflunomide tablets is 7 mg or 14 mg orally once daily. Teriflunomide tablets can be taken with or without food. Monitoring to Assess Safety: • Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of teriflunomide tablets therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for six months after starting teriflunomide tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . • Obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC) within 6 months before the initiation of treatment with teriflunomide tablets. Further monitoring should be based on signs and symptoms of infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . • Prior to initiating teriflunomide tablets, screen patients for latent tuberculosis infection with a tuberculin skin test or blood test for mycobacterium tuberculosis infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . • Exclude pregnancy prior to initiation of treatment with teriflunomide tablets in females of reproductive potential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . • Check blood pressure before start of teriflunomide tablets treatment and periodically thereafter [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] . 7 mg or 14 mg orally once daily, with or without food. ( 2 )
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the prescribing information: • Hepatotoxicity [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Bone Marrow Effects/Immunosuppression Potential/Infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Serious Skin Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Increased Blood Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Respiratory Effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] • Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥ 10% and ≥ 2% greater than placebo): headache, diarrhea, nausea, alopecia, increase in ALT. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. A total of 2047 patients receiving teriflunomide tablets (7 mg or 14 mg once daily) constituted the safety population in the pooled analysis of placebo-controlled studies in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; of these, 71% were female. The average age was 37 years. Table 1 lists adverse reactions in placebo-controlled trials with rates that were at least 2% for teriflunomide tablets patients and also at least 2% above the rate in placebo patients. The most common were headache, an increase in ALT, diarrhea, alopecia, and nausea. The adverse reaction most commonly associated with discontinuation was an increase in ALT (3.3%, 2.6%, and 2.3% of all patients in the teriflunomide tablets 7 mg, teriflunomide tablets 14 mg, and placebo treatment arms, respectively). Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis Teriflunomide Tablets 7 mg Teriflunomide Tablets 14 mg Placebo Adverse Reaction (N = 1045) (N = 1002) (N = 997) Headache 18% 16% 15% Increase in Alanine aminotransferase 13% 15% 9% Diarrhea 13% 14% 8% Alopecia 10% 13% 5% Nausea 8% 11% 7% Paresthesia 8% 9% 7% Arthralgia 8% 6% 5% Neutropenia 4% 6% 2% Hypertension 3% 4% 2% Cardiovascular Deaths Four cardiovascular deaths, including three sudden deaths, and one myocardial infarction in a patient with a history of hyperlipidemia and hypertension were reported among approximately 2600 patients exposed to teriflunomide tablets in the premarketing database. These cardiovascular deaths occurred during uncontrolled extension studies, one to nine years after initiation of treatment. A relationship between teriflunomide tablets and cardiovascular death has not been established. Acute Renal Failure In placebo-controlled studies, creatinine values increased more than 100% over baseline in 8/1045 (0.8%) patients in the 7 mg teriflunomide tablets group and 6/1002 (0.6%) patients in the 14 mg teriflunomide tablets group versus 4/997 (0.4%) patients in the placebo group. These elevations were transient. Some elevations were accompanied by hyperkalemia. Teriflunomide tablets may cause acute uric acid nephropathy with transient acute renal failure because teriflunomide tablets increase renal uric acid clearance. Hypophosphatemia In clinical trials, 18% of teriflunomide tablets-treated patients had hypophosphatemia with serum phosphorus levels of at least 0.6 mmol/L, compared to 7% of placebo-treated patients; 4% of teriflunomide tablets-treated patients had hypophosphatemia with serum phosphorus levels at least 0.3 mmol/L but less than 0.6 mmol/L, com

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Teriflunomide tablets are contraindicated for use in pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception because of the potential for fetal harm based on animal data [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . In animal reproduction studies in rat and rabbit, oral administration of teriflunomide during organogenesis caused teratogenicity and embryolethality at plasma exposures (AUC) lower than that at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 14 mg/day [see Data ]. Available human data from pregnancy registries, clinical trials, pharmacovigilance cases, and published literature are too limited to draw any conclusions, but they do not clearly indicate increased birth defects or miscarriage associated with inadvertent teriflunomide exposure in the early first trimester when followed by an accelerated elimination procedure [see Clinical Considerations and Data ] . There are no human data pertaining to exposures later in the first trimester or beyond. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2%-4% and 15%-20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Lowering the plasma concentration of teriflunomide by instituting an accelerated drug elimination procedure as soon as pregnancy is detected may decrease the risk to the fetus from teriflunomide tablets. The accelerated drug elimination procedure includes verification that the plasma teriflunomide concentration is less than 0.02 mg/L [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Data Human Data Available human data are limited. Prospectively reported data (from clinical trials and postmarketing reports) from > 150 pregnancies in patients treated with teriflunomide and > 300 pregnancies in patients treated with leflunomide have not demonstrated an increased rate of congenital malformations or miscarriage following teriflunomide exposure in the early first trimester when followed by an accelerated elimination procedure. Specific patterns of major congenital malformations in humans have not been observed. Limitations of these data include an inadequate number of reported pregnancies from which to draw conclusions, the short duration of drug exposure in reported pregnancies, which
BreastfeedingCaution
…0.6, or 1.0 mg/kg/day) was administered to rats during gestation and lactation, decreased growth, eye and skin abnormalities, and…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverCaution
…Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with teriflunomide tablets in the postmarketing setting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Elimination of teriflunomide tablets can be accelerated by administration of cholestyramine or activated charcoal for 11 days. ( 5.3 ) • Teriflunomide tablets may decrease WBC. A recent CBC should be available before starting teriflunomide tablets. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Consider suspending treatment with teriflunomide tablets in case of serious infection. Do not start teriflunomide tablets in patients with active infections. ( 5.4 ) • Stop teriflunomide tablets if patient has anaphylaxis, angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; initiate rapid elimination. ( 5.3 , 5.5 , 5.6 , 5.7 ) • If patient develops symptoms consistent with peripheral neuropathy, evaluate patient and consider discontinuing teriflunomide tablets. ( 5.8 ) • Teriflunomide tablets may increase blood pressure. Measure blood pressure at treatment initiation and monitor blood pressure during treatment. ( 5.9 ) 5.1 Hepatotoxicity Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with teriflunomide tablets in the postmarketing setting. Patients with pre-existing liver disease and patients taking other hepatotoxic drugs may be at increased risk for developing liver injury when taking teriflunomide tablets. Clinically significant liver injury can occur at any time during treatment with teriflunomide tablets. Patients with pre-existing acute or chronic liver disease, or those with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than two times the upper limit of normal (ULN) before initiating treatment, should not normally be treated with teriflunomide tablets. Teriflunomide tablets are contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Contraindications (4) ] . In placebo-controlled trials in adult patients, ALT greater than three times the ULN occurred in 61/1045 (5.8%) and 62/1002 (6.2%) of patients receiving teriflunomide tablets 7 mg and 14 mg, respectively, and 38/997 (3.8%) of patients receiving placebo, during the treatment period. These elevations occurred mostly within the first year of treatment. Half of the cases returned to normal without drug discontinuation. In clinical trials, if ALT elevation was greater than three times the ULN on two consecutive tests, teriflunomide tablets were discontinued and patients underwent an accelerated elimination procedure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Of the patients who underwent discontinuation and accelerated elimination in controlled trials, half returned to normal or near normal values within 2 months. One patient in the controlled trials in adult patients developed ALT 32 times the ULN and jaundice 5 months after initiation of teriflunomide tablets 14 mg treatment. The patient was hospitalized for 5 weeks and recovered after plasmapheresis and cholestyramine accelerated elimination procedure. Teriflunomide tablets-induced liver injury in this patient could not be ruled out. Obtain serum transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of teriflunomide tablets therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for six months after starting teriflunomide tablets. Consider additional monitoring when teriflunomide tablets are given with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Consider discontinuing teriflunomide tablets if serum transaminase increase (greater than three times the ULN) is confirmed. Monitor serum transaminase and bilirubin on teriflunomide tablets therapy, particularly in patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction, such as unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine. If liver injury is suspected to be teriflunomide tablets-induced, discontinue teriflunomide tablets and start an accelerated elimination procedure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] and monitor liver
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Teriflunomide tablets are contraindicated in/with: • Patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . • Pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception. Teriflunomide tablets may cause fetal harm [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 , 5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . • Patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to teriflunomide, leflunomide, or to any of the inactive ingredients in teriflunomide tablets. Reactions have included anaphylaxis, angioedema, and serious skin reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. • Coadministration with leflunomide [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. • Severe hepatic impairment ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Pregnancy ( 4 , 5.2 , 8.1 ) • Hypersensitivity ( 4 , 5.5 ) • Current leflunomide treatment ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Effectiveness of teriflunomide tablets for the treatment of relapsing form of multiple sclerosis in pediatric patients (10 to 17 years of age) was not established in an adequate and well-controlled clinical study in 166 patients (109 patients received once daily doses of teriflunomide tablets and 57 patients received placebo) for up to 96 weeks. Pancreatitis has been reported in adults in the postmarketing setting, but appears to occur at higher frequency in the pediatric population. In this pediatric study, cases of pancreatitis were reported in 1.8% (2/109) of patients who received teriflunomide tablets compared to no patients in the placebo group. All patients in the pediatric trial recovered or were recovering after treatment discontinuation and accelerated elimination procedure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] . Additionally, elevated or abnormal blood creatine phosphokinase was reported in 6.4% of pediatric patients who received teriflunomide tablets compared to no patients in the placebo group. Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data Oral administration of teriflunomide (0, 0.3, 3, or 6 mg/kg/day) to young rats on postnatal days 21 to 70 resulted in suppression of immune function (T-cell dependent antibody response) at the mid and high doses, and adverse effects on male reproductive organs (reduced sperm count) and altered neurobehavioral function (increased locomotor activity) at the high dose. At the no-effect dose (0.3 mg/kg/day) for developmental toxicity in juvenile rats, plasma exposures were less than those in pediatric patients at the doses of teriflunomide tablets tested in the clinical study.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on CYP2C8 Substrates Teriflunomide is an inhibitor of CYP2C8 in vivo . In patients taking teriflunomide tablets, exposure of drugs metabolized by CYP2C8 (e.g., paclitaxel, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rosiglitazone) may be increased. Monitor these patients and adjust the dose of the concomitant drug(s) metabolized by CYP2C8 as required [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on Warfarin Coadministration of teriflunomide tablets with warfarin requires close monitoring of the international normalized ratio (INR) because teriflunomide tablets may decrease peak INR by approximately 25%. Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on Oral Contraceptives Teriflunomide tablets may increase the systemic exposures of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Consideration should be given to the type or dose of contraceptives used in combination with teriflunomide tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on CYP1A2 Substrates Teriflunomide may be a weak inducer of CYP1A2 in vivo . In patients taking teriflunomide tablets, exposure of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 (e.g., alosetron, duloxetine, theophylline, tizanidine) may be reduced. Monitor these patients and adjust the dose of the concomitant drug(s) metabolized by CYP1A2 as required [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on Organic Anion Transporter 3 (OAT3) Substrates Teriflunomide inhibits the activity of OAT3 in vivo . In patients taking teriflunomide tablets, exposure of drugs which are OAT3 substrates (e.g., cefaclor, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, penicillin G, ketoprofen, furosemide, methotrexate, zidovudine) may be increased. Monitor these patients and adjust the dose of the concomitant drug(s) which are OAT3 substrates as required [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Effect of Teriflunomide Tablets on BCRP and Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide B1 and B3 (OATP1B1/1B3) Substrates Teriflunomide inhibits the activity of BCRP and OATP1B1/1B3 in vivo . For a patient taking teriflunomide tablets, the dose of rosuvastatin should not exceed 10 mg once daily. For other substrates of BCRP (e.g., mitoxantrone) and drugs in the OATP family (e.g., methotrexate, rifampin), especially HMG-Co reductase inhibitors (e.g., atorvastatin, nateglinide, pravastatin, repaglinide, and simvastatin), consider reducing the dose of these drugs and monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of increased exposures to the drugs while patients are taking teriflunomide tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . • Drugs metabolized by CYP2C8 and OAT3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) • Teriflunomide may increase exposure of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Choose an appropriate oral contraceptive. ( 7 ) • Drugs metabolized by CYP1A2: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may decrease exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) • Warfarin: Monitor INR as teriflunomide may decrease INR. ( 7 ) • Drugs metabolized by BCRP and OATP1B1/B3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) • Rosuvastatin: The dose of rosuvastatin should not exceed 10 mg once daily in patients taking teriflunomide tablets. ( 7 )
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no experience regarding teriflunomide overdose or intoxication in humans. Teriflunomide 70 mg daily up to 14 days was well tolerated by healthy subjects. In the event of clinically significant overdose or toxicity, cholestyramine or activated charcoal is recommended to accelerate elimination [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

4 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.