Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Leflunomide
Severity: Minor
Hydroxychloroquine and Leflunomide: minor 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
This combination is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis, and hydroxychloroquine is only weakly immunosuppressive. Added infection risk is modest, though hepatic and hematologic monitoring remains relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine and Leflunomide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Mild additive immunomodulatory effects; no significant pharmacokinetic interaction is established.
What to do
No need to avoid; monitor liver enzymes and blood counts routinely as for leflunomide.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydroxychloroquine and Leflunomide, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxychloroquine with Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Hydroxychloroquine and Leflunomide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. This combination is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis, and hydroxychloroquine is only weakly immunosuppressive. Added infection risk is modest, though hepatic and hematologic monitoring remains relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine and Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No need to avoid; monitor liver enzymes and blood counts routinely as for 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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
