Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmunity.

Abstract

Leflunomide, a new oral immunomodulatory agent, is effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Its mechanism of action in suppressing inflammation is based in its inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme responsible for de novo synthesis of pyrimidine containing ribonucleotides. It is the first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with an indication for retardation of joint damage by radiography. Side effects are generally mild and include diarrhea, rashes, reversible alopecia, and elevation of hepatic transaminases. Despite the concern about hepatotoxicity, combination use with methotrexate in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been shown to be safe. Other autoimmune diseases in which leflunomide has been used successfully include Felty syndrome, vasculitis, Sjogren syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, and bullous pemphigoid.

• Authors: Suzanne Sanders, Valee Harisdangkul
• Journal: The American journal of the medical sciences (Am J Med Sci) Vol. 323 Issue 4 Pg. 190-3 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0002-9629 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12003373 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Isoxazoles
• Leflunomide

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy)
• Autoimmune Diseases (drug therapy)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Humans
• Isoxazoles (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Leflunomide