Teriflunomide for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: patient preference and adherence

Abstract

Antonios Bayas,1 Mathias Mäurer2 1Department of Neurology, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany; 2Department of Neurology, Caritas Krankenhaus Bad Mergentheim, Bad Mergentheim, Germany Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic demyelinating neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system, is the most common neurological disorder leading to disability in young adulthood. In the last 2 decades, numerous treatments for relapsing–remitting MS have been approved with eleven treatment options available worldwide. One of the determinants in treatment selection is disease activity in the individual patient. However, patient preferences play an increasingly major role in treatment decision making. With teriflunomide, a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, a new oral therapeutic option, given once daily, has been approved within the last 2 years by the regulatory agencies. The current review focuses on characteristics of the drug relevant for patients’ preferences in the treatment decision process in the light of the available medications. Perceiving and considering patients’ preferences will have an effect on treatment adherence, which is known to be often low in MS patients. Teriflunomide-related adherence issues will also be discussed regarding mode of application, dosing, and potential side effects. Keywords: disease modifying treatment, oral, first line, pharmacovigilance