Drug interactions
Denosumab + Leflunomide
Severity: Moderate
Denosumab and Leflunomide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both agents affect immune function, and denosumab labeling warns of serious infections, including in patients on immunosuppressants. Combined use may increase infection risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Denosumab and Leflunomide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Denosumab belongs to Oncology; Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppressive effects: leflunomide inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and denosumab inhibits RANKL signaling, which is also involved in immune function.
What to do
Monitor for signs of infection and treat promptly. Assess infection risk before starting denosumab in patients on leflunomide.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Leflunomide
- Bcg vaccine live + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Denosumab
- Abatacept + Denosumab Moderate
- Adalimumab + Denosumab Moderate
- Alefacept + Denosumab Moderate
- Alemtuzumab + Denosumab Moderate
- Anakinra + Denosumab Moderate
- Azacitidine + Denosumab Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Denosumab with Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Denosumab and Leflunomide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both agents affect immune function, and denosumab labeling warns of serious infections, including in patients on immunosuppressants. Combined use may increase infection risk.
How serious is the interaction between Denosumab and Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for signs of infection and treat promptly. Assess infection risk before starting denosumab in patients on leflunomide.
What other medicines interact with Leflunomide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Leflunomide with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Leflunomide page.
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