What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Leflunomide and teriflunomide
Leflunomide's FDA label of June 4, 2025 names teriflunomide in its contraindications section, and teriflunomide's label names leflunomide too. The teriflunomide label: “CONTRAINDICATIONS Severe hepatic impairment Pregnancy Hypersensitivity Current leflunomide treatment AUBAGIO is contraindicated in/with:”
Check it at the source: the leflunomide FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 4, 2025, sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC); the teriflunomide FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 20, 2026, Genzyme Corporation).
What does the leflunomide label say about teriflunomide?
Leflunomide label, contraindicationsPatients being treated with teriflunomide [see Drug Interactions (7) ].
Leflunomide label, drug interactionsDrugs 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.
Leflunomide label, warnings and precautionsWARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS After stopping ARAVA, it is recommended that an accelerated drug elimination procedure be used to reduce the plasma concentrations of the active metabolite, teriflunomide. ( 5.3 ) Severe infections (including sepsis), pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, and thrombocytopenia: Stop ARAVA and use accelerated elimination procedure.
Source: FDA drug label (Arava), sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, effective June 4, 2025 (SPL set 320f63f2-fac3-4aee-aff8-85724e00ef52), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the teriflunomide label say about leflunomide?
Teriflunomide label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Severe hepatic impairment ( 4 , 5.1 ) Pregnancy ( 4 , 5.2 , 8.1 ) Hypersensitivity ( 4 , 5.5 ) Current leflunomide treatment ( 4 ) AUBAGIO is contraindicated in/with:
Teriflunomide label, warnings and precautionsNo cases of serious pancytopenia were reported in premarketing clinical trials of AUBAGIO but rare cases of pancytopenia and agranulocytosis have been reported in the postmarketing setting with leflunomide.
Source: FDA drug label (Aubagio), NDA202992 (Sanofi Aventis Us), as published by Genzyme Corporation, effective February 20, 2026 (SPL set 4650d12c-b9c8-4525-b07f-a2d773eca155), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Leflunomide | Teriflunomide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis | Multiple sclerosis |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.324 per tablet 10 mg tablet | $0.233 per tablet 14 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once