Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Ozanimod
Severity: Moderate
Leflunomide and Ozanimod: 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
Ozanimod reduces circulating lymphocytes and leflunomide is immunosuppressive. Combined use may increase the risk of infection, including after one drug is stopped because teriflunomide persists for a long time.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Ozanimod 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.
Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal; Ozanimod belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from lymphocyte sequestration and inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation.
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible and consider accelerated leflunomide elimination with cholestyramine before starting ozanimod. Monitor for infection and check blood counts.
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 Ozanimod
- Isocarboxazid + Ozanimod Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Ozanimod Contraindicated
- Ozanimod + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ozanimod + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ozanimod + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ozanimod + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Ozanimod?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Leflunomide and Ozanimod 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. Ozanimod reduces circulating lymphocytes and leflunomide is immunosuppressive. Combined use may increase the risk of infection, including after one drug is stopped because teriflunomide persists for a long time.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Ozanimod?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible and consider accelerated leflunomide elimination with cholestyramine before starting ozanimod. Monitor for infection and check blood counts.
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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