Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Ocrelizumab
Severity: Major
Leflunomide and Ocrelizumab: major 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
Combined use of leflunomide and the B-cell depleting antibody ocrelizumab may add to immunosuppression and hematologic toxicity, including infections and cytopenias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Ocrelizumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal; Ocrelizumab belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppressive and myelosuppressive effects.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use where possible, and monitor complete blood counts and signs of infection if combined. Consider leflunomide washout with accelerated elimination when switching.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Leflunomide and Ocrelizumab, 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 14 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 Ocrelizumab
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Ocrelizumab Contraindicated
- Anti-thymocyte + Ocrelizumab Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Ocrelizumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Leflunomide and Ocrelizumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Combined use of leflunomide and the B-cell depleting antibody ocrelizumab may add to immunosuppression and hematologic toxicity, including infections and cytopenias.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Ocrelizumab?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use where possible, and monitor complete blood counts and signs of infection if combined. Consider leflunomide washout with accelerated elimination when switching.
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.
