Rebif vs. Aubagio

• Are Rebif and Aubagio the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Rebif?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aubagio?
• What Is Rebif?
• What Is Aubagio?
• What Drugs Interact with Rebif?
• What Drugs Interact with Aubagio?
• How Should Rebif Be Taken?
• How Should Aubagio Be Taken?

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Injection and Aubagio (teriflunomide) are used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Rebif and Aubagio belong to different drug classes Rebif is made from human proteins and Aubagio is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor.

Side effects of Rebif that are different from Aubagio include injection site reactions (pain, swelling, or redness) and flu-like symptoms (such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches).

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

Both Rebif and Aubagio may interact with birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, cancer medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, and steroids.

Rebif may also interact with alcohol, acetaminophen, aspirin, gout or arthritis medication (including gold injections), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antifungal medicines, sulfa drugs, tuberculosis medicines, antiviral or HIV/AIDS medications, medicines to treat mental illness, seizure medications, and heart or blood pressure medications.

Aubagio may also interact with cholestyramine, methotrexate, rifampin, warfarin; medicines to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis; medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, and "live" vaccines.

Common side effects of Rebif include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches may occur when you first start Rebif. These symptoms usually improve or go away after a few months of continued use of Rebif. Some patients using interferon medications such as Rebif become depressed or have suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor immediately if this occurs. Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Rebif including:

• mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, rare thoughts of suicide),
• vision changes,
• gradual change in weight,
• intolerance to cold or heat,
• increased urination,
• pus or change in skin color at the injection site,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat, cough),
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• fast or irregular heartbeat,
• sudden increase in weight,
• swelling hands/legs/feet,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• yellowing eyes or skin, or
• dark urine.

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.

Rebif (interferon beta-1a) Injection is made from human proteins and is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Rebif will not cure MS; it will only decrease the frequency of relapse symptoms. Common side effects of Rebif include pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, fever, chills, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches may occur when you first start Rebif. These symptoms usually improve or go away after a few months of continued use of Rebif. Some patients using interferon medications such as Rebif become depressed or have suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor immediately if this occurs.

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

Rebif may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you take. Talk to your doctor about how to drink alcohol safely while using this medication. Rebif should not be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or think you might become pregnant during treatment. 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 Rebif is 22 mcg to 44 mcg injected subcutaneously three times per week. Rebif is intended for use under the supervision of a physician. Patients may self-inject only after proper training.

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