Cns Drugs
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Teriflunomide (Aubagio™) is the main active metabolite of leflunomide, an established disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. Teriflunomide is an inhibitor of de novo pyrimidine synthesis, reducing lymphocyte proliferation, amongst other immunomodulatory effects; autoimmunity is believed to be one of the potential mechanisms of disease for multiple sclerosis. Teriflunomide is considered cytostatic but not cytotoxic: it does not affect resting or slowly dividing lymphocytes. ⋯ As an oral treatment, it offers an alternative to the traditional, parenteral, disease-modifying therapies; however, further investigation into the efficacy and/or tolerability differences between teriflunomide and other available oral drugs would be of great use in the placement of this drug. At present, given the relatively limited long-term data, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions with regard to safety; however, as teriflunomide is the main active metabolite of leflunomide, long-term safety data can be extrapolated from the large amount of post-approval data available regarding its parent drug. Oral teriflunomide is a valuable addition to available treatment options for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, in particular those patients who prefer an oral drug.