Drug interactions
Infliximab + Leflunomide
Severity: Moderate
Infliximab 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
Combining a TNF blocker with leflunomide raises the risk of infections, cytopenias and hepatotoxicity. The combination is used in some rheumatoid arthritis patients but needs careful oversight.
What this interaction means in plain words
Infliximab 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.
Infliximab belongs to Musculoskeletal; Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression and hepatotoxicity from TNF blockade and pyrimidine synthesis inhibition.
What to do
Monitor liver enzymes and blood counts regularly and watch for infection. Hold one agent if serious infection or significant enzyme elevation occurs.
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 Infliximab
- Bcg vaccine live + Infliximab Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Infliximab with Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Infliximab 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. Combining a TNF blocker with leflunomide raises the risk of infections, cytopenias and hepatotoxicity. The combination is used in some rheumatoid arthritis patients but needs careful oversight.
How serious is the interaction between Infliximab 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 liver enzymes and blood counts regularly and watch for infection. Hold one agent if serious infection or significant enzyme elevation occurs.
What other medicines interact with Infliximab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Infliximab with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine. The full list is on the Infliximab page.
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