Teriflunomide in Multiple Sclerosis: An Update

The document summarizes the efficacy and safety of teriflunomide in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), based on various Phase III clinical trials. Teriflunomide, an oral immunomodulator, has been shown to reduce annualized relapse rates (ARR) and the risk of sustained disability in MS patients. The TEMSO trial with 1,088 patients, the TOWER trial with 1,169 patients, and the TOPIC trial with 618 patients all demonstrated significant benefits of teriflunomide over placebo. The TENERE trial, with 324 patients, compared teriflunomide to interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a) and found similar relapse rates and greater patient satisfaction. Teriflunomide also does not adversely affect immune responses to vaccines. Safety data from over 3,044 patients indicated a manageable safety profile, with the most common adverse event being reversible increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Hair thinning was reported as a side effect but was mostly mild to moderate and showed improvement in most patients. Teriflunomide is contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential birth defects, but a pregnancy registry has been established to collect more data. Overall, teriflunomide is considered an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for relapsing forms of MS.