Teriflunomide Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability in Patients with Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis

In 2013, teriflunomide was studied for its effectiveness in treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The drug, taken orally once daily, was found to significantly reduce the annualized relapse rate and the risk of disability progression, particularly at a 14 mg dose. The TEMSO study, which included 147 patients, demonstrated a 31.5% reduction in relapse rate and a 29.8% reduction in disability progression risk with the 14 mg dose, and a 31.2% reduction in relapse rate with the 7 mg dose. MRI outcomes also showed significant lesion volume reductions. Teriflunomide was generally well-tolerated, with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, hair thinning, and increased liver enzymes, which were mostly transient and infrequently led to discontinuation. The safety profile remained consistent over long-term follow-up, and the drug was considered a valuable treatment option for MS, potentially improving patient adherence due to its oral administration. The document also discussed the drug's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and low potential for drug-drug interactions.