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Aubagio Side Effects

Generic name: teriflunomide

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Nov 15, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Aubagio Side Effects associated with teriflunomide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Aubagio.

Applies to teriflunomide: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

Hepatotoxicity. Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with teriflunomide in the postmarketing setting.

Concomitant use of teriflunomide with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury.

Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of teriflunomide and monitor ALT levels at least monthly for six months.

If drug induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue teriflunomide and start accelerated elimination procedure.Embryofetal Toxicity. Teratogenicity and embryolethality occurred in animals administered teriflunomide.

Exclude pregnancy prior to initiating teriflunomide therapy.

Advise use of effective contraception in females of reproductive potential during treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure.

Stop teriflunomide and use an accelerated drug elimination procedure if the patient becomes pregnant.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Women will receive a pregnancy test before starting this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and after 2 years of stopping treatment with this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Teriflunomide may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Men taking teriflunomide (the active ingredient contained in Aubagio) should use condoms as a form of birth control during sexual intercourse. A man intending to father a child should Stop taking teriflunomide and check with his doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine together with leflunomide (Arava®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Teriflunomide can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

You will need to have a skin test for tuberculosis before you start using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive reaction to a tuberculosis test.

While you are being treated with teriflunomide, for at least 6 months you stop using it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Live virus vaccines should not be given while receiving this medicine.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of getting cancers, including blood cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, fever or chills.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis). Check with your doctor right away if you have a black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, painful or difficult urination, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop a fever, rash, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellow eyes or skin after using this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious and life-threatening condition called drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Check with your doctor right away if you have a cough with or without a fever or trouble breathing while taking this medicine.

You will need to have your blood pressure measured before starting this medicine and while you are using it. If you notice any change to your recommended blood pressure, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Aubagio

Along with its needed effects, teriflunomide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking teriflunomide:

More common side effects

  • body aches or pain
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • chills
  • cough
  • cough producing mucus
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty breathing
  • ear congestion
  • fever
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • headache
  • joint pain
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of voice
  • muscle aches and pains
  • nausea
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • shivering
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • sweating
  • tightness in the chest
  • trouble sleeping
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting

Less common side effects

  • agitation
  • black, tarry stools
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • blurred vision
  • burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger
  • clay colored stools
  • coma
  • confusion
  • dark urine
  • decreased appetite
  • decreased urine output
  • depression
  • diarrhea
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • dizziness
  • fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • hostility
  • irritability
  • itching or skin rash
  • lethargy
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle twitching
  • pale skin
  • pounding in the ears
  • rapid weight gain
  • seizures
  • slow or fast heartbeat
  • stomach pain or tenderness
  • stupor
  • swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • weakness or heaviness of the legs
  • yellow eyes or skin

Rare side effects

  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • joint pain
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • swollen glands

Other side effects of Aubagio

Some side effects of teriflunomide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • hair loss or thinning of the hair

Less common side effects

  • blemishes on the skin
  • bone pain
  • burning, dry, or itching eyes
  • difficulty with moving
  • discharge or excessive tearing
  • full or bloated feeling
  • muscle cramping or stiffness
  • pain in the lower back, bottom, or hips
  • pain in the upper leg
  • pimples
  • pressure in the stomach
  • redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
  • swelling of the stomach area
  • swollen joints
  • toothache
  • weight loss

For healthcare professionals

Applies to teriflunomide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were increased ALT, alopecia, diarrhea, influenza, nausea and paresthesia.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hepatic

Cardiovascular

Dermatologic

Gastrointestinal

Genitourinary

Immunologic

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Nervous system

Ocular

Psychiatric

Respiratory

Renal

Other

See also:

References

1. (2012) "Product Information. Aubagio (teriflunomide)." Genzyme Corporation

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Aubagio side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.