Plegridy vs. Aubagio

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector and Aubagio (teriflunomide) are used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Plegridy and Aubagio belong to different drug classes. Plegridy is an interferon beta-1a and Aubagio is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor.

Side effects of Plegridy and Aubagio that are similar include nausea.

Side effects of Plegridy that are different from Aubagio include injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising), flu-like illness, fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, weakness, and vomiting.

Side effects of Aubagio that are different from Plegridy include liver problems, influenza, hair loss or thinning hair, diarrhea, burning or prickly feeling in your skin, and numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms.

Plegridy may interact with other drugs.

Aubagio may interact with ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel, birth control, hormone replacement, warfarin, certain medicines for infections, tuberculosis medicines, cholesterol medications, medicines to treat heart problems, high blood pressure medications, seizure medications, medicines to treat pain or arthritis (including Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve), and medicines that may increase your risk of getting an infection, such as cancer medicines or medicines that affect your immune system.

Common side effects of Plegridy include:

• injection site reactions (redness, itching, pain, swelling, warmth, rash, bruising),
• flu-like illness,
• fever,
• headache,
• muscle or joint pain,
• chills,
• weakness,
• nausea, and
• vomiting

Common side effects of Aubagio include:

• liver problems,
• influenza,
• hair loss or thinning hair,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• burning or prickly feeling in your skin, or
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet that is different from your MS symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Aubagio including:

• fever,
• chills,
• body aches,
• flu symptoms,
• sores in your mouth and throat,
• itching,
• tired feeling,
• loss of appetite,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes,
• fast or racing heartbeats,
• confusion,
• little or no urinating,
• chest pain,
• dry cough,
• wheezing,
• feeling short of breath,
• skin redness or peeling,
• swelling,
• rapid weight gain, or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a) Autoinjector is an interferon beta-1a used to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Aubagio (teriflunomide) is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Plegridy should be used only if prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Aubagio may increase exposure of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Patients taking Coumadin (warfarin) should be closely monitored as interactions may occur. Aubagio may cause major birth defects if used during pregnancy. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting treatment with Aubagio. Pregnancy must be avoided while taking Aubagio treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). If Aubagio is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking Aubagio, the drug should be discontinued immediately and an accelerated elimination procedure should be initiated. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Plegridy is 125 micrograms injected subcutaneously every 14 days.

The recommended dose for Aubagio is 7 mg or 14 mg taken orally, once daily, with or without food.