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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AS GENERIC TERIFLUNOMIDE ENTERS THE MARKET, YOU AND YOUR PATIENTS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS

Please know, Sanofi is committed as an organization to helping patients start and stay on branded AUBAGIO. See the FAQs below for answers that may be helpful.

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Yes. If you and your patients have had success, and would like the opportunity to maintain that success, you may continue to prescribe branded AUBAGIO.

To request branded AUBAGIO, you must specify ‘Dispense as Written 1 (DAW1)’ in the Special Instructions section of your patient’s prescription. Writing DAW1 increases the chances of your patient receiving branded AUBAGIO.

Here are a variety of tools to help you prescribe AUBAGIO:

The support of MS One to One will remain available to branded AUBAGIO patients at least through 2023.*

Your patients will NOT receive MS One to One support with a generic.

*Our plans and program may be changed or modified at any time.

ACCESS THE CO-PAY SIGN-UP FOR YOUR PATIENTS

AUBAGIO has lost exclusivity of its patent. Once medications lose exclusivity of their patents, generics often enter the market quickly. Several factors can influence whether your patients will receive branded AUBAGIO or a generic teriflunomide from their pharmacy, including:

  • Insurance status
  • Number of generic entrants in market
  • State laws and substitution guidelines

Even if you request branded AUBAGIO for your patients according to the DAW Guide, there may be instances where they will receive a generic instead. In these cases, they may request you submit a letter of medical necessity to provide a rationale for why branded AUBAGIO is needed. Your patients can also request branded AUBAGIO when contacted by their specialty pharmacy.

If your patient does switch to a generic, they will no longer be eligible for personal or financial support through MS One to One. Please inform your patients that the pills and/or packaging of a generic may look different than they are used to.

With an established safety profile based on 18+ years of combined clinical trials and real-world experience, HCPs have prescribed AUBAGIO to ~100,000 of their relapsing MS patients since approval.1-4

This trust is backed by clinical results demonstrating treatment with AUBAGIO reduces relapses and delays disability progression for 2+ years.1,5*

*In the core plus extension trial.

Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates.1

SEE MORE EFFICACY RESULTS

Please call MS One to One with any inquiries at 1-855-676-6326 or contact Sanofi US.

If your patients need further information, have them call MS One to One directly at 1-855-676-6326.

Sanofi is committed as an organization to helping patients start and stay on the relapsing MS treatment that is most appropriate for them. We will continue to ensure that branded AUBAGIO is available.

To find out more about the work Sanofi is doing to help patients with RMS and other neurological disorders, explore the Sanofi website.

 

INDICATION

AUBAGIO® (teriflunomide) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY AND EMBRYOFETAL TOXICITY

  • Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with AUBAGIO in the postmarketing setting. Concomitant use of AUBAGIO with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury.
  • Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of AUBAGIO therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for 6 months after starting AUBAGIO. If drug-induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue AUBAGIO and start an accelerated elimination procedure with cholestyramine or activated charcoal. AUBAGIO is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Patients with pre-existing liver disease may be at increased risk of developing elevated serum transaminases when taking AUBAGIO.
  • AUBAGIO is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in women of reproductive potential who are not using effective contraception because of the potential for fetal harm. Teratogenicity and embryolethality occurred in animals at plasma teriflunomide exposure lower than that in humans. Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment with AUBAGIO in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during AUBAGIO treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after AUBAGIO treatment. Stop AUBAGIO and use an accelerated drug elimination procedure if the patient becomes pregnant.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment.
  • Pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception.
  • Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to teriflunomide, leflunomide, or to any of the inactive ingredients in AUBAGIO.
  • Co-administration with leflunomide.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Hepatotoxicity: Clinically significant liver injury, which could be life-threatening, can occur at any time during treatment with AUBAGIO. Patients with pre-existing acute or chronic liver disease, or those with serum ALT >2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) before initiating treatment, should not normally be treated with AUBAGIO. In clinical trials, if ALT elevation was >3 times the ULN on 2 consecutive tests, patients discontinued AUBAGIO and underwent accelerated elimination. Consider additional monitoring if co-administering AUBAGIO with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs; monitor patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction (eg, unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine).
  • Embryofetal Toxicity: AUBAGIO may cause fetal harm when administered in pregnant women. Teratogenicity and embryofetal lethality occurred in animal reproduction studies in multiple animal species at plasma teriflunomide exposures similar to or lower than that in humans at the maximum human recommended dose of 14 mg/day. AUBAGIO is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception. Exclude pregnancy before starting AUBAGIO in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during AUBAGIO treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure (AEP) after AUBAGIO treatment. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AUBAGIO, stop treatment, apprise patient of the potential risk to a fetus, and perform an AEP to achieve an AUBAGIO plasma concentration of <0.02 mg /L. Upon discontinuing AUBAGIO, it is recommended all females of reproductive potential undergo an AEP. Women receiving AUBAGIO who wish to become pregnant must discontinue AUBAGIO and undergo an AEP, until plasma concentrations of AUBAGIO are <0.02 mg /L. Men wishing to father a child should also stop AUBAGIO and either undergo an AEP or wait until plasma concentration of AUBAGIO is <0.02 mg/L. Women who become pregnant while taking AUBAGIO may enroll in the AUBAGIO pregnancy registry by calling 1‑800‑745‑4447, option 2.
  • Procedure for Accelerated Elimination of Teriflunomide: Teriflunomide is eliminated slowly from the plasma—it takes an average of 8 months, or up to 2 years, to reach plasma concentrations <0.02 mcg /mL. Elimination may be accelerated by administration of cholestyramine or activated charcoal, but this may cause disease activity to return in patients who were responding to AUBAGIO.
  • Bone Marrow Effects/Immunosuppression Potential/Infections: Decreases in white blood cell counts, mainly of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and platelets have been reported with AUBAGIO. Thrombocytopenia, including rare cases with platelet counts less than 50,000/mm3, has been reported in the postmarketing setting. Obtain a complete blood cell count within 6 months before starting treatment, with further monitoring based on signs and symptoms of bone marrow suppression. AUBAGIO is not recommended for patients with severe immunodeficiency, bone marrow disease, or severe uncontrolled infections. Tuberculosis (TB) has been observed in clinical studies of AUBAGIO. Before starting treatment, screen patients for latent TB infection with a tuberculin test. Treatment in patients with acute or chronic infections should not be started until the infection(s) is resolved. Administration of live vaccines is not recommended. The risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, or infection may be increased with the use of some medications with immunosuppressive potential, including teriflunomide.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: AUBAGIO can cause anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions. Signs and symptoms have included dyspnea, urticaria, and angioedema including lips, eyes, throat, and tongue. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and angioedema.
  • Serious Skin Reactions: Cases of serious skin reactions, sometimes fatal, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported with AUBAGIO. Fatal outcomes were reported in one case of TEN and one case of DRESS. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of a serious skin reaction and instruct them to discontinue AUBAGIO and seek immediate medical care. Unless the reaction is clearly not drug-related, discontinue AUBAGIO and begin accelerated elimination immediately. In such cases, patients should not be re-exposed to teriflunomide.
  • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): DRESS, also known as multiorgan hypersensitivity, has occurred with AUBAGIO. One fatal case of DRESS that occurred within 34 days of initiation of AUBAGIO treatment has been reported in the postmarketing setting. DRESS typically, although not exclusively, presents with fever, rash, lymphadenopathy and/or facial swelling, in association with other organ system involvement, such as hepatitis, nephritis, hematologic abnormalities, myocarditis, or myositis, sometimes resembling an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. This disorder is variable in its expression, and other organ systems not noted here may be involved. It is important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity (eg, fever, lymphadenopathy) may be present even though rash is not evident. If such signs or symptoms are present, the patient should be evaluated immediately. Discontinue AUBAGIO, unless an alternative etiology for the signs or symptoms is established, and begin an accelerated elimination procedure immediately. In such cases, patients should not be re-exposed to teriflunomide.
  • Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy, including polyneuropathy and mononeuropathy, has been reported with AUBAGIO. Age >60 years, concomitant neurotoxic medications, and diabetes may increase the risk. If peripheral neuropathy is suspected, consider discontinuing treatment and performing accelerated elimination.
  • Increased Blood Pressure: Blood pressure increases and hypertension have occurred with AUBAGIO. Measure blood pressure at treatment initiation and manage any elevations during treatment.
  • Respiratory Effects: Interstitial lung disease (ILD), including acute interstitial pneumonitis, has been reported with AUBAGIO. ILD may be fatal and may occur acutely at any time during therapy with a variable clinical presentation. If discontinuation of the drug is necessary, consider initiation of an accelerated elimination procedure.
  • Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients: AUBAGIO is not approved for use in pediatric patients. In a pediatric clinical trial, cases of pancreatitis were observed in patients receiving AUBAGIO. If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue teriflunomide and start an accelerated elimination procedure.

Adverse Reactions: The most frequent adverse reactions (≥10% and ≥2% greater than placebo) with AUBAGIO 7 mg and 14 mg and placebo, respectively, were headache (18% and 16% vs 15%), ALT increased (13% and 15% vs 9%), diarrhea (13% and 14% vs 8%), alopecia (10% and 13% vs 5%), and nausea (8% and 11% vs 7%).

Drug Interactions: Monitor patients when teriflunomide is coadministered with warfarin, or with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2C8, substrates of OAT3 transporters, substrates of BCRP, or OATP1B1/1B3 transporters.

Use in Specific Populations: Women should not breastfeed during treatment with AUBAGIO.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING.

INDICATION

AUBAGIO® (teriflunomide) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: HEPATOTOXICITY AND EMBRYOFETAL TOXICITY

  • Clinically significant and potentially life-threatening liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with AUBAGIO in the postmarketing setting. Concomitant use of AUBAGIO with other hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of severe liver injury.
  • Obtain transaminase and bilirubin levels within 6 months before initiation of AUBAGIO therapy. Monitor ALT levels at least monthly for 6 months after starting AUBAGIO. If drug-induced liver injury is suspected, discontinue AUBAGIO and start an accelerated elimination procedure with cholestyramine or activated charcoal. AUBAGIO is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Patients with pre-existing liver disease may be at increased risk of developing elevated serum transaminases when taking AUBAGIO.
  • AUBAGIO is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and in women of reproductive potential who are not using effective contraception because of the potential for fetal harm. Teratogenicity and embryolethality occurred in animals at plasma teriflunomide exposure lower than that in humans. Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment with AUBAGIO in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during AUBAGIO treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after AUBAGIO treatment. Stop AUBAGIO and use an accelerated drug elimination procedure if the patient becomes pregnant.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment.
  • Pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception.
  • Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to teriflunomide, leflunomide, or to any of the inactive ingredients in AUBAGIO.
  • Co-administration with leflunomide.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • Hepatotoxicity: Clinically significant liver injury, which could be life-threatening, can occur at any time during treatment with AUBAGIO. Patients with pre-existing acute or chronic liver disease, or those with serum ALT >2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) before initiating treatment, should not normally be treated with AUBAGIO. In clinical trials, if ALT elevation was >3 times the ULN on 2 consecutive tests, patients discontinued AUBAGIO and underwent accelerated elimination. Consider additional monitoring if co-administering AUBAGIO with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs; monitor patients who develop symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction (eg, unexplained nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, or jaundice and/or dark urine).
  • Embryofetal Toxicity: AUBAGIO may cause fetal harm when administered in pregnant women. Teratogenicity and embryofetal lethality occurred in animal reproduction studies in multiple animal species at plasma teriflunomide exposures similar to or lower than that in humans at the maximum human recommended dose of 14 mg/day. AUBAGIO is contraindicated for use in pregnant women and females of reproductive potential not using effective contraception. Exclude pregnancy before starting AUBAGIO in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during AUBAGIO treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure (AEP) after AUBAGIO treatment. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking AUBAGIO, stop treatment, apprise patient of the potential risk to a fetus, and perform an AEP to achieve an AUBAGIO plasma concentration of <0.02 mg /L. Upon discontinuing AUBAGIO, it is recommended all females of reproductive potential undergo an AEP. Women receiving AUBAGIO who wish to become pregnant must discontinue AUBAGIO and undergo an AEP, until plasma concentrations of AUBAGIO are <0.02 mg /L. Men wishing to father a child should also stop AUBAGIO and either undergo an AEP or wait until plasma concentration of AUBAGIO is <0.02 mg/L. Women who become pregnant while taking AUBAGIO may enroll in the AUBAGIO pregnancy registry by calling 1‑800‑745‑4447, option 2.
  • Procedure for Accelerated Elimination of Teriflunomide: Teriflunomide is eliminated slowly from the plasma—it takes an average of 8 months, or up to 2 years, to reach plasma concentrations <0.02 mcg /mL. Elimination may be accelerated by administration of cholestyramine or activated charcoal, but this may cause disease activity to return in patients who were responding to AUBAGIO.
  • Bone Marrow Effects/Immunosuppression Potential/Infections: Decreases in white blood cell counts, mainly of neutrophils and lymphocytes, and platelets have been reported with AUBAGIO. Thrombocytopenia, including rare cases with platelet counts less than 50,000/mm3, has been reported in the postmarketing setting. Obtain a complete blood cell count within 6 months before starting treatment, with further monitoring based on signs and symptoms of bone marrow suppression. AUBAGIO is not recommended for patients with severe immunodeficiency, bone marrow disease, or severe uncontrolled infections. Tuberculosis (TB) has been observed in clinical studies of AUBAGIO. Before starting treatment, screen patients for latent TB infection with a tuberculin test. Treatment in patients with acute or chronic infections should not be started until the infection(s) is resolved. Administration of live vaccines is not recommended. The risk of malignancy, particularly lymphoproliferative disorders, or infection may be increased with the use of some medications with immunosuppressive potential, including teriflunomide.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: AUBAGIO can cause anaphylaxis and severe allergic reactions. Signs and symptoms have included dyspnea, urticaria, and angioedema including lips, eyes, throat, and tongue. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and angioedema.
  • Serious Skin Reactions: Cases of serious skin reactions, sometimes fatal, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported with AUBAGIO. Fatal outcomes were reported in one case of TEN and one case of DRESS. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of a serious skin reaction and instruct them to discontinue AUBAGIO and seek immediate medical care. Unless the reaction is clearly not drug-related, discontinue AUBAGIO and begin accelerated elimination immediately. In such cases, patients should not be re-exposed to teriflunomide.
  • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): DRESS, also known as multiorgan hypersensitivity, has occurred with AUBAGIO. One fatal case of DRESS that occurred within 34 days of initiation of AUBAGIO treatment has been reported in the postmarketing setting. DRESS typically, although not exclusively, presents with fever, rash, lymphadenopathy and/or facial swelling, in association with other organ system involvement, such as hepatitis, nephritis, hematologic abnormalities, myocarditis, or myositis, sometimes resembling an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. This disorder is variable in its expression, and other organ systems not noted here may be involved. It is important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity (eg, fever, lymphadenopathy) may be present even though rash is not evident. If such signs or symptoms are present, the patient should be evaluated immediately. Discontinue AUBAGIO, unless an alternative etiology for the signs or symptoms is established, and begin an accelerated elimination procedure immediately. In such cases, patients should not be re-exposed to teriflunomide.
  • Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy, including polyneuropathy and mononeuropathy, has been reported with AUBAGIO. Age >60 years, concomitant neurotoxic medications, and diabetes may increase the risk. If peripheral neuropathy is suspected, consider discontinuing treatment and performing accelerated elimination.
  • Increased Blood Pressure: Blood pressure increases and hypertension have occurred with AUBAGIO. Measure blood pressure at treatment initiation and manage any elevations during treatment.
  • Respiratory Effects: Interstitial lung disease (ILD), including acute interstitial pneumonitis, has been reported with AUBAGIO. ILD may be fatal and may occur acutely at any time during therapy with a variable clinical presentation. If discontinuation of the drug is necessary, consider initiation of an accelerated elimination procedure.
  • Pancreatitis in Pediatric Patients: AUBAGIO is not approved for use in pediatric patients. In a pediatric clinical trial, cases of pancreatitis were observed in patients receiving AUBAGIO. If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue teriflunomide and start an accelerated elimination procedure.

Adverse Reactions: The most frequent adverse reactions (≥10% and ≥2% greater than placebo) with AUBAGIO 7 mg and 14 mg and placebo, respectively, were headache (18% and 16% vs 15%), ALT increased (13% and 15% vs 9%), diarrhea (13% and 14% vs 8%), alopecia (10% and 13% vs 5%), and nausea (8% and 11% vs 7%).

Drug Interactions: Monitor patients when teriflunomide is coadministered with warfarin, or with drugs metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2C8, substrates of OAT3 transporters, substrates of BCRP, or OATP1B1/1B3 transporters.

Use in Specific Populations: Women should not breastfeed during treatment with AUBAGIO.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING.