Aubagio can inhibit a key enzyme required by white blood cells (lymphocytes) – which in turn reduces the proliferation of T and B immune cells that are active in MS and also inhibits the production of immune messenger chemicals by T cells.
What are the effects of a low white blood cell count?
A low white blood cell count is a consequence of serious diseases, and it can lead to harmful health problems—including infections, slow healing, and cancer. A low white blood cell count doesn’t cause symptoms, but the complications of a low white blood cell count can cause many different symptoms.
What causes the production of white blood cells to decrease?
White blood cells are made in the bone marrow and circulate throughout the body. Diseases, toxins, medications, or medical treatments that harm the bone marrow can prevent enough white blood cells from being produced. Some medical conditions can also cause the destruction of white blood cells.
Does Aubagio lower your white blood cell count?
Yes, Aubagio (teriflunomide) may lower your white blood cell (WBC) count and possibly suppress your immune system. White blood cells are found in your blood and are used to fight infection. You may be more likely to get an infection while taking Aubagio.
How does Aubagio treat multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Aubagio (teriflunomide) is a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), meaning it can help slow down disease progression and minimize damage rather than simply treat symptoms. Specifically, Aubagio is used to treat relapsing forms of MS.
Does Aubagio weaken the immune system?
Aubagio may weaken your immune system, so getting a live vaccine may put you at risk for the illness the vaccine is supposed to protect you from. If you have any questions about getting vaccines while taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor.
Does MS affect white blood cells?
Baseline WBC count was significantly higher in subjects with prevalent MS. Among subjects without MS at baseline, those who developed MS had significantly higher WBC than those who did not develop MS at follow-up. Development of each MS component was associated with increased WBC count.
Does Aubagio affect T cells?
Results showed that, contrary to what was expected, Aubagio was not generally decreasing T-cell levels in treated patients. Instead, it significantly reduced a particular subset of T-cells, called “Th1 helper cells.”
Does Aubagio lower lymphocytes?
Bone Marrow Effects/Immunosuppression Potential/Infections: Decreases in white blood cell counts, mainly of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and platelets have been reported with AUBAGIO.
Can MS cause low white blood cell count?
Multiple sclerosis patients are at risk of developing lymphopenia, or abnormally low levels of immune defense white blood cells, called lymphocytes, according to a study that investigated lymphocyte counts in people with relapsing MS both before and after the start of treatment.
Can MS cause low white blood count?
MS and low white blood cell count The study found that medical treatments designed for helping to treat relapsing MS also lower the person's white blood cell count. The risk of a prolonged low white blood cell count is that the body is left unable to fight infection, which can have very severe consequences.
Does Aubagio cause low white blood cell count?
Yes, Aubagio (teriflunomide) may lower your white blood cell (WBC) count and possibly suppress your immune system. White blood cells are found in your blood and are used to fight infection. You may be more likely to get an infection while taking Aubagio.
Is Aubagio a chemo drug?
Is Aubagio (teriflunomide) a chemotherapy medication? No, Aubagio (teriflunomide) is not considered chemotherapy, and it's not currently used for the treatment of cancer.
Can Aubagio cause liver damage?
Aubagio may cause increased blood levels of liver enzymes. This was a commonly reported side effect in people taking Aubagio. Increased liver enzyme levels may indicate liver damage, including liver failure. This rare side effect of taking Aubagio can be life threatening.
What is the WBC count in MS patients?
In MS, the CSF total white blood cell (WBC) count is normal in about two thirds of patients and less than 50 cells/µL, with rare exceptions [11].
When is the best time to take Aubagio?
by Drugs.com It does not matter if you take Aubagio in the morning or at night, but you should take it at around the same time each day. So if you decide to take your Aubagio in the morning, then take it every morning. If you decide to take it at night, then take it every night.
What happens when you stop taking Aubagio?
If you stop taking AUBAGIO, it stays in your system for an average of 8 months although it may remain for up to 2 years. If you become pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if your doctor decides to discontinue AUBAGIO for any reason, there's an 11-day accelerated elimination procedure.
What is the primary goal of MS treatment?
A primary goal of treating MS should be to keep you from having MS symptoms. Relapsing MS treatments are known as disease-modifying treatments. A disease-modifying treatment that works for you should prevent relapses, prevent new lesions, and slow the progression of disability.
How to help MS relapsing?
A healthy lifestyle is important for everybody, but research shows that eating right, moderate exercise, and not smoking, can help with relapsing MS symptoms by improving cardiovascular fitness, bettering bladder and bowel function, increasing energy, and elevating mood. Next: HELPFUL RESOURCES.
What is the AUBAGIO pill?
AUBAGIO is a once-daily pill used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Your healthcare provider will run certain tests before you start treatment. Once on AUBAGIO, your healthcare provider will monitor your ...
What is the number to call for aUBAGIO?
If you have questions beyond what appears below, or if you find an answer is unclear, please call one of our MS One to One ® Nurses day or night, 24/7 at 1-855-676-6326.
How long does it take for MS to relapse?
A relapse is an MS attack lasting more than 24 hours where you either have new symptoms or old symptoms get worse. A relapse may be mild or severe (possibly requiring a hospital stay) and may occur at any time. All relapses are a sign of disease activity, which means MS is doing more damage to your nerves.
How soon can you start treating MS?
You should start treating MS as soon as possible after you are diagnosed. Research has shown that this is the best way to slow MS progression. You may also need treatments to help relieve your MS symptoms, but these should be taken in addition to your relapsing MS treatment, also known as disease-modifying treatment.
Can you take Aubagio if you are pregnant?
Dissatisfied with current treatment. Do not take AUBAGIO if you have severe liver problems, are pregnant or of childbearing potential and not using effective birth control, have had an allergic reaction to AUBAGIO or leflunomide, or are taking a medicine called leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis.
What is Aubagio used for?
It is related to leflunomide, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Aubagio can inhibit a key enzyme required by white blood cells ...
Is Aubagio approved by the FDA?
Aubagio was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
Will stopping Aubagio treatment cause any side effects?
It’s possible that stopping Aubagio treatment may cause side effects. If you have side effects after you stop taking Aubagio, they’ll likely be symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) returning.
Does Aubagio cause PML?
No, Aubagio doesn’t cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare but serious side effect that may occur with some MS treatments. But it isn’t known to occur with Aubagio.
Can Aubagio cause weight loss or weight gain?
No, you shouldn’t have weight loss or weight gain from taking Aubagio. No changes in weight were reported as side effects in people taking this medication.
Does Aubagio cause any eye-related side effects?
No, Aubagio shouldn’t cause you to have any eye-related side effects. This type of side effect wasn’t reported by people taking Aubagio.
Serious skin problems
In rare cases, people taking Aubagio have reported serious skin problems. Examples include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These conditions cause severe symptoms, including:
Liver damage
Aubagio has a boxed warning for liver damage. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).*
High blood pressure
It’s possible to develop high blood pressure from taking Aubagio, as this drug can increase blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, taking Aubagio may increase your blood pressure even more.
How to get rid of Aubagio?
Medications (cholestyramine or activated charcoal) can be used to help eliminate Aubagio from your body faster and reduce the risk to your baby. Similarly, if you plan to get pregnant while taking Aubagio or within two years of stopping treatment, these medications can be used to help you do so safely.
What are the side effects of Aubagio?
Trouble breathing or talking. Swollen mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. This is not a complete list of the possible side effects of Aubagio. It is important to speak to your healthcare professional to gain information about the risk of side effects and steps you can take to help prevent or control them. 6.
What is Aubagio used for?
Aubagio is the brand name for teriflunomide, an oral medication taken once per day to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is available in strengths of 7 mg and 14 mg as film-coated tablets.
How much is Aubagio in 2020?
The list price of Aubagio in the US, as of January 2020, is $7,668.14 for a 30-day supply (7 mg or 14 mg). However, the amount you will have to pay depends on factors such as whether you have prescription drug insurance, the type of insurance you have, and whether you have met your deductible.
When was Aubagio approved?
When Aubagio was approved by the FDA in 2012, it became the 9th disease-modifying therapy (DMT) available to treat MS and the second that is taken by mouth (after Gilenya, which contains the active ingredient fingolimod). Other oral medications for MS, such as Tecfidera ( dimethyl fumarate), have since been approved.
What are the symptoms of Aubagio?
High blood pressure (you doctor should check your blood pressure before you begin Aubagio treatment and monitor it throughout your treatment) High potassium levels, signs of which include nausea or racing heartbeat. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
What is a clinically isolated syndrome?
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) refers to a single episode of neurological symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours. Because CIS is a single episode of symptoms, it is sometimes considered to be a different condition from MS; others consider it to be the earliest form of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Regardless, the purpose of Aubagio therapy is ...
How long does it take for Aubagio to reduce WBCs?
In studies, a reduction in WBCs was usually seen in the first 6 weeks after starting treatment and remained low. If you develop an infection or a fever while you are taking Aubagio, call your doctor right away. Do not start taking Aubagio during an active infection.
How long after discontinuation of Aubagio can you get the shot?
The manufacturer recommends that certain vaccines not be administered for at least 6 months after discontinuation of treatment.
What are the symptoms of pancytopenia?
Serious infections can occur. Symptoms of pancytopenia include increased risk of bleeding, shortness of breath, and high fevers. No cases of serious pancytopenia were reported in clinical trials of Aubagio.
Can you use Aubagio for TB?
Do not start treatment if you have an active TB infection. It is not known if it is safe to use Aubagio in patients with a latent tuberculosis infection.
Can you take Aubagio with a fever?
You should not start taking Aubagio during an active infection. Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of an infection or a fever. In placebo-controlled studies of Aubagio, no overall increase in the risk of serious infections was observed with Aubagio 7 mg (2.2%) or 14 mg (2.7%) compared to placebo (2.2%).
Does Aubagio cause cancer?
Taking Aubagio with other immunosuppressant drugs, like cancer treatments, may increase your risk for infections. Tell your doctor if you take medicines that could raise your chance of getting infections, including medicines used to treat cancer or to control your immune system.
Does Aubagio lower WBC?
Key Points. Yes, Aubagio ( teriflunomide) may lower your white blood cell (WBC) count and possibly suppress your immune system. White blood cells are found in your blood and are used to fight infection. You may be more likely to get an infection while taking Aubagio.