Aubagio is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. It contains the active ingredient teriflunomide. Aubagio is not safe to take during pregnancy.
Keep reading for specific information about reproductive health and Aubagio. For an in-depth look at Aubagio, see this article.
Taking Aubagio while you’re pregnant may cause major congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects). In fact, Aubagio has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (For more information about the drug’s boxed warnings, see the “Aubagio warnings” section.)
You should not take this drug if you’re pregnant. If you can become pregnant and you’re not using effective birth control, you should not take Aubagio.
If you do become pregnant while using Aubagio, stop taking the drug and tell your doctor right away. If you want to become pregnant within 2 years, tell your doctor. In this case, they can start you on therapy to remove Aubagio from your system.
Aubagio can stay in your blood for a long time, possibly up to 2 years after you stop treatment. The only way to know if Aubagio is still in your system is to do a blood test. Your doctor or healthcare professional will test your levels to ensure Aubagio is cleared from your system. Until you know that Aubagio is out of your system, it’s important to keep using birth control.
You can also sign up for a registry that helps collect information about your experience. Pregnancy registries gather information about how certain drugs affect pregnant people and developing fetuses. To sign up, talk with your doctor or call 800-745-4447 and press option 2.
If you’re concerned about becoming pregnant while taking Aubagio, talk with your doctor. They can suggest effective methods of birth control.
For males: Males taking Aubagio should also use effective contraception. They should let their doctor know if their partner can become pregnant.
If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Aubagio is a safe choice for you.
It’s not known whether Aubagio passes into breast milk.
Before taking Aubagio, tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding your child or plan to breastfeed. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of taking the drug while breastfeeding.
You should use contraception (birth control) while taking Aubagio.
If you can become pregnant, your doctor will give you a pregnancy test before you start Aubagio treatment. It’s important that you do not become pregnant while taking Aubagio because the drug can cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects).
In fact, Aubagio has a boxed warning about this risk. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Males taking Aubagio should use effective contraception. And they should also let their doctor know if their partner can become pregnant.
Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.