Aubagio vs. Tecfidera

Aubagio (teriflunomide) and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) are used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Aubagio and Tecfidera belong to different drug classes. Aubagio is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor and Tecfidera is a fumaric acid ester.

Side effects of Aubagio and Tecfidera that are similar include nausea and diarrhea.

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

Side effects of Tecfidera that are different from Aubagio include flushing, abdominal pain, vomiting, rash, itching, redness, and indigestion.

Aubagio may interact with ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel, and warfarin.

Tecfidera may interact with other drugs.

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.

Common side effects of Tecfidera include:

• flushing,
• abdominal pain,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• rash,
• itching,
• redness, and
• indigestion.

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

Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) is a fumaric acid ester used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

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.

Tecfidera may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to be become pregnant before using Tecfidera; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Tecfidera during pregnancy and you may be encouraged to enroll. It is unknown if Tecfidera passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

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

The starting dose of Tecfidera is 120 mg twice daily for seven days by mouth. After seven days, maintenance doses of Tecfidera are 240 mg taken twice daily by mouth.