SS 9/20/2024 – Updates team: A Reproductive Health article has been created for this drug. Please revise the Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and (if applicable) Birth control sections with templated text and link to the new Reproductive Health article. Thank you!

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), your doctor may prescribe Aubagio for you.

It’s a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:

To learn more about these conditions, see the “Is Aubagio used for MS?” section below.

Aubagio basics

Aubagio comes as tablets that you take by mouth.

Aubagio contains the active drug teriflunomide. It’s also available as a generic drug called teriflunomide.

Read on to learn how Aubagio is given as well as its uses, side effects, and more.

Like most drugs, Aubagio may cause mild or serious side effects. It’s possible the drug may cause long-term side effects. But how long Aubagio’s side effects last will be different for each person.

The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Aubagio may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Aubagio. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Aubagio can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Aubagio’s medication guide.

Mild side effects of Aubagio that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Aubagio can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Aubagio, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Aubagio that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Aubagio may cause.

Boxed warnings

Aubagio has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This drug’s boxed warnings are described below.

Serious liver damage. Taking Aubagio can cause serious liver damage, such as liver failure. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But liver damage has been reported since the drug became available for use.

In rare cases, liver damage from Aubagio can be life threatening.

Your risk for this side effect may be higher if you already have liver problems before you start taking Aubagio. Your risk is also higher if you take other medications that cause harm to your liver. This includes the rheumatoid arthritis drug leflunomide (Arava).

Watch for the following symptoms of liver problems while taking Aubagio:

Risk of problems with fetal development. Aubagio can cause problems with fetal development (birth defects) in children born to people who took the drug while pregnant. For more information, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding” in the “What should be considered before taking Aubagio?” section below.

What might help with liver damage

Your doctor will order liver function tests for you before you start taking Aubagio. And they’ll continue to check your liver function while you take the drug. If you develop liver damage while taking Aubagio, your doctor may switch you to a different treatment.

It may not be safe to take Aubagio if you already have liver problems. Be sure to tell your doctor about any liver problems you have before starting Aubagio treatment.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medications you take. They can tell you if any of your medications may cause liver damage. If you take other drugs that cause liver damage, your doctor may prescribe a drug other than Aubagio for you.

Hair loss

You may have hair loss while you’re taking Aubagio. This was one of the most common side effects in studies of the drug.

In addition to hair loss, Aubagio may also cause hair thinning.

What might help

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about hair loss with Aubagio. They may suggest certain over-the-counter hair-loss treatments, such as minoxidil (Rogaine). But be sure to talk with them before taking any new drugs with Aubagio.

Diarrhea

You may have diarrhea while you’re taking Aubagio. This was a common side effect in studies of the drug.

It’s important to remember that diarrhea can increase your risk of dehydration. With dehydration, your body can lose large amounts of electrolytes and water.

What might help

If you have diarrhea, you can stay hydrated by drinking water or sports drinks, such as Gatorade.

Certain foods can also help relieve diarrhea, such as bland foods that won’t upset your stomach. Examples include bananas, rice, apples, and toast. (This combination of foods is commonly referred to as the BRAT diet.)

If you have bothersome diarrhea while taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage this side effect.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Aubagio.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Aubagio. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Find answers to some common questions about Aubagio.

Does Aubagio cause weight gain, weight loss, fatigue, or depression?

Weight changes, fatigue (lack of energy), and depression weren’t side effects reported in studies of Aubagio. But all of these conditions can be symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), which Aubagio treats.

If you have any of the above symptoms while taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to ease your symptoms.

How does Aubagio work, and what’s its half-life? Does it suppress your immune system?

Aubagio is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). With MS, your immune system attacks the protective layer around your spinal cord and brain. This can lead to swelling and scar tissue in your spinal cord and brain. This then makes it hard for your brain to communicate with the rest of your body.

Aubagio belongs to a group of drugs called pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors. The exact way Aubagio works isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to block a certain protein that causes your immune system to attack the protective layer around your spinal cord and brain.

The half-life of Aubagio is 18–19 days. A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes your body to get rid of half a dose of that drug. In other words, it takes about 18–19 days for your body to get rid of half of a dose of Aubagio.

If you have more questions about how Aubagio works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Aubagio similar to Ocrevus, Copaxone, Avonex, Mayzent, Rebif, and Tysabri?

You may wonder how Aubagio compares with other drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

Other drugs that treat MS include:

  • ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
  • glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)
  • interferon beta-1a (Avonex, Rebif)
  • siponimod (Mayzent)
  • natalizumab (Tysabri)

All the drugs listed above help stop your immune system from attacking the protective layer around your spinal cord and brain.

Aubagio and Mayzent come as tablets you take by mouth. Ocrevus, Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif, and Tysabri are given as injections.

For more details about how Aubagio compares with these medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are there side effects from stopping Aubagio? Does stopping the drug cause withdrawal?

No, stopping Aubagio isn’t known to cause withdrawal. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

But after you stop Aubagio, your multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms may start to come back.

Don’t stop taking Aubagio unless your doctor says it’s safe to do so. If they do tell you it’s safe, they can help you manage any MS symptoms you may have.

Does Aubagio cause PML?

It isn’t likely that Aubagio will cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

PML is a serious viral condition. With it, a certain virus attacks the central nervous system (CNS). It causes symptoms such as vision problems, confusion, and personality changes.

Other medications that treat multiple sclerosis (MS) may cause PML. An example is natalizumab (Tysabri).

If you’re concerned about PML while taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor.

Can I develop cancer from taking Aubagio?

No, it isn’t likely that you’ll develop cancer from taking Aubagio. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

But other medications that treat multiple sclerosis (MS) may increase the risk of cancer. An example is ocrelizumab (Ocrevus).

If you’re concerned about your risk of cancer from Aubagio, talk with your doctor.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Aubagio manufacturer’s website to see if they have support options.

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), your doctor may prescribe Aubagio for you.

With MS, your immune system attacks the protective layer around your spinal cord and brain. This can lead to swelling and scar tissue in your spinal cord and brain. This then makes it hard for your brain to communicate with the rest of your body.

With MS you can have relapses (a flare-up of symptoms) followed by remissions (mild or no symptoms).

Symptoms of MS can include:

Aubagio is used to treat the following conditions in adults:

  • Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). With CIS, you have a single episode of MS symptoms for at least 24 hours. CIS can be the first sign of MS, but doesn’t always lead to it.
  • Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). With RRMS you have cycles of MS relapse and remission.
  • Active secondary-progressive MS (SPMS). Active SPMS usually starts as RRMS, but your MS symptoms continue to get worse over time.

The exact way Aubagio works isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to block a certain protein that causes your immune system to attack the protective layer around your spinal cord and brain.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Aubagio that’s right for you. Below are common dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Aubagio comes as tablets that you take by mouth. It’s available in two strengths: 7 milligrams (mg) and 14 mg.

Recommended dosages

Usually, Aubagio’s recommended dosing for multiple sclerosis (MS) is to take the drug once a day.

Your doctor may have you take a lower starting dose of the drug. But if you’re still having symptoms, they may increase your daily dose.

Questions about Aubagio’s dosage

  • What if I miss a dose of Aubagio? If you miss a dose of Aubagio, you can skip your missed dose and take your next dose at its regular time. Don’t make up for a missed dose by taking any extra doses of Aubagio. If you’re concerned about what may happen if you miss a dose of Aubagio, talk with your doctor.
  • Will I need to use Aubagio long term? Yes, most likely. If Aubagio is working for you and isn’t causing bothersome side effects, your doctor may suggest you take it long term. But your doctor will tell you the length of time that’s right for you to take Aubagio.
  • How long does Aubagio take to work? Aubagio starts working right away to treat your condition. But it may take a couple of weeks for you to notice Aubagio easing your MS symptoms.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Aubagio. They will also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Aubagio

Aubagio comes as tablets that you take by mouth.

You’ll likely take Aubagio once per day, any time of day. There isn’t a best time to take Aubagio. But if possible, try to take your dose at the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body, which helps the drug work best.

Questions about taking Aubagio

Below are answers to a couple of common questions about taking Aubagio.

  • Can Aubagio be chewed, crushed, or split? The manufacturer of Aubagio hasn’t stated whether the drug can be chewed, crushed, or split. To be safe, it’s best to swallow Aubagio tablets whole. If you have trouble doing so, check out this article, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Should I take Aubagio with food? You can take Aubagio with food or without it.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Aubagio and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Aubagio affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Both Aubagio and Tecfidera are medications used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

Aubagio comes as a tablet you take by mouth. It contains the active drug teriflunomide. Tecfidera comes as a capsule you take by mouth, and it contains the active drug dimethyl fumarate.

To learn more about these two drugs, see this side-by-side comparison. Let your doctor know if you’d like more information about Aubagio and Tecfidera.

Before starting Aubagio treatment, it’s important to discuss a few things with your doctor. These include:

  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you take
  • your overall health

We describe these considerations in more detail below.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Aubagio, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Aubagio.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Aubagio can interact with several types of drugs. These drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Aubagio. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Aubagio.

* You should not take Aubagio if you’re taking this medication.

Other interactions

You shouldn’t get live vaccines while taking Aubagio. A live vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus or bacteria that it helps prevent an infection from.

Live vaccines usually don’t cause infection in people with healthy immune systems. But live vaccines could cause infection in people whose immune systems are weakened, including those taking Aubagio.

Examples of live vaccines include:

In most cases, you should avoid getting live vaccines while taking Aubagio and for at least 6 months after you stop taking the drug. This is because you usually need a healthy immune system for live vaccines to be effective.

Talk with your doctor about whether you’re up to date on all recommended vaccines before you start Aubagio.

Boxed warnings

Aubagio has boxed warnings about serious liver damage and a risk of problems with fetal development (birth defects). These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Aubagio’s boxed warnings include:

  • Serious liver damage. Aubagio can cause serious liver damage, such as liver failure. For more information, see the “What are Aubagio’s side effects?” section above.
  • Risk of problems with fetal development. Aubagio can cause problems with fetal development (birth defects) in children born to people who took the drug while pregnant. For more information, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding” below.

Other warnings

Aubagio may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Aubagio. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Diabetes. Before you start taking Aubagio, tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Aubagio can cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. (Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage that can cause tingling or numbness in your feet or hands.) And your risk of this side effect may be higher if you have diabetes. Your doctor can advise if it’s safe for you to take Aubagio if you have diabetes.
  • Active infection. Before starting Aubagio treatment, tell your doctor about any infection you have. After starting Aubagio treatment, your body may not be able to fight infection as well as before. So your doctor will want to make sure any active infection is treated before you take Aubagio. Your doctor may also order tests to check for certain types of infection, such as tuberculosis, before you start taking Aubagio.
  • Liver problems. Taking Aubagio can cause serious liver damage, such as liver failure. (See the “What are Aubagio’s side effects?” section above for details.) You shouldn’t take Aubagio if you already have liver problems before you start the drug. If you have liver problems, your doctor will likely prescribe a drug other than Aubagio for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Aubagio or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Aubagio. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for your condition.

Aubagio and alcohol

There aren’t any known interactions between Aubagio and alcohol. But both excessive alcohol consumption and Aubagio can cause liver damage. So it may be best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.

Before starting Aubagio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what amount of alcohol, if any, will be safe for you to drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not safe to take Aubagio while pregnant. Additionally, it may not be safe to get pregnant for at least 2 years after your last dose of Aubagio. This is because Aubagio stays in your system for a long time after you stop taking it.

If you take Aubagio during pregnancy, consider enrolling in Aubagio’s pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect information about the effects of a drug during pregnancy. This information can help researchers better understand the drug’s risks if taken during pregnancy.

To enroll in Aubagio’s pregnancy registry, call 800-745-4477. Or, you can visit the registry’s site.

If you’re interested in becoming pregnant after taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor. They can suggest safe ways to help you do so.

It’s not known whether Aubagio passes into breast milk or if it’s safe to take the drug while breastfeeding. The drug’s effect on children who are breastfed is also unknown. If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of having you take Aubagio.

Both Aubagio and Gilenya are medications used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

Aubagio comes as a tablet you take by mouth. It contains the active drug teriflunomide. Gilenya comes as a capsule you take by mouth, and it contains the active drug fingolimod.

See this detailed breakdown to learn more about Aubagio vs. Gilenya. And talk with your doctor to see which drug is right for you.

Don’t take more Aubagio than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Aubagio

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Aubagio. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), your doctor may prescribe Aubagio for you. If you have questions about taking this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Some questions to ask your doctor about Aubagio may include:

  • Will Aubagio affect my menstrual cycle?
  • Does Aubagio interact with caffeine?
  • Can I take biotin with Aubagio?
  • How is Aubagio different from other drugs that treat MS?
  • Do I have a higher risk of certain side effects with Aubagio?

Your doctor can discuss with you other treatments that are available for your condition. Below are a few articles that you might find helpful.

You can learn more about MS by subscribing to Healthline’s MS newsletter.

Q:

Can I take Aubagio if I have high blood pressure?

Anonymous

A:

Yes, it is possible to take Aubagio if you have high blood pressure. Your doctor will check your blood pressure before you start Aubagio, as well as throughout your treatment. If you have high blood pressure, you will be given medication to treat it. If you have questions about your blood pressure before starting Aubagio treatment, talk with your doctor.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.