Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Safinamide
Severity: Minor
Leflunomide and Safinamide: 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
Safinamide and its main metabolite may inhibit intestinal BCRP, and the active leflunomide metabolite teriflunomide is a BCRP substrate. Exposure to teriflunomide could therefore rise somewhat, increasing the chance of dose-related adverse effects such as hepatic enzyme elevation or cytopenias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Safinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal; Safinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal BCRP efflux transport by safinamide may increase absorption of BCRP substrates such as teriflunomide.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed. Follow liver enzymes and blood counts as usually recommended during leflunomide therapy.
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?
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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 Safinamide
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Amphetamine polistirex + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Cyclobenzaprine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Safinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Leflunomide and Safinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Safinamide and its main metabolite may inhibit intestinal BCRP, and the active leflunomide metabolite teriflunomide is a BCRP substrate. Exposure to teriflunomide could therefore rise somewhat, increasing the chance of dose-related adverse effects such as hepatic enzyme elevation or cytopenias.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Safinamide?
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 routine dose change is needed. Follow liver enzymes and blood counts as usually recommended during leflunomide therapy.
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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