Leflunomide
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile arthritis
Treatment
1 FDA approval
20 Active Studies for Leflunomide
Treatment for
Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Leflunomide
Leflunomide
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Leflunomide is a medication used to treat certain inflammatory conditions. It belongs to a group of drugs called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). Leflunomide was approved by the FDA and Health Canada in 1999 and is available in many other countries in Europe.
Arava
is the brand name
Leflunomide Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Arava
Leflunomide
1998
55
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Leflunomide, also called Arava, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses including Rheumatoid Arthritis .
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps manage Rheumatoid Arthritis
Effectiveness
How Leflunomide Affects Patients
Leflunomide is a drug used to treat active rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes T-cells to be more active. T cells normally get their metabolic needs from a process called the salvage pathways. However, when T cells become activated, they require more pyrimidines than the salvage pathway can provide, so they need to use a different process called the de novo pathway for pyrimidine synthesis. Leflunomide works by stopping the de novo pathway for pyrimidine synthesis, which will affect activated T cells more than other cell types
How Leflunomide works in the body
Leflunomide works by targeting cell cycle progression and tyrosine kinases in autoimmune cells. It stops an enzyme called dihydroorotate dehydrogenase from forming, which prevents the production of a molecule used for making DNA and RNA. This stops the cell from dividing, and also interferes with how activated lymphocytes attach to the synovial vascular endothelial cells. It also prevents tyrosine kinases from activating pathways leading to DNA repair, which can help to treat cancer.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed dosage of Leflunomide is contingent upon the diagnosed condition. The measure of dosage likewise differentiates, in line with the administration procedure featured in the table below.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Rheumatoid Arthritis
, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 15.0 mg
Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Juvenile arthritis
, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 15.0 mg
Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Warnings
Leflunomide has two contraventions. It should not be utilized in combination with the conditions listed in the table below.
Leflunomide Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hepatic Impairment
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Leflunomide.
Common Leflunomide Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Leflunomide.
Cabozantinib
Major
The metabolism of Cabozantinib can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Cyclosporine
Major
Leflunomide may increase the immunosuppressive activities of Cyclosporine.
Dacomitinib
Major
The metabolism of Dacomitinib can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Dicoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Dicoumarol can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Leflunomide Toxicity & Overdose Risk
The highest dose of this drug that is considered safe has been found to be between 100-250 mg/kg.
Leflunomide Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Leflunomide?
Currently, 86 clinical trials are underway to assess the potential of Leflunomide to ameliorate Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
56 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Juvenile arthritis
8 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Leflunomide Reviews: What are patients saying about Leflunomide?
5
Patient Review
12/9/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
4.7
Patient Review
4/3/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
4.3
Patient Review
7/7/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
4.3
Patient Review
8/5/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
4
Patient Review
10/20/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
4
Patient Review
1/26/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3.7
Patient Review
8/5/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3.7
Patient Review
7/12/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3
Patient Review
8/20/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3
Patient Review
10/12/2020
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
2.3
Patient Review
10/22/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
Patient Review
6/17/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
Patient Review
9/3/2021
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
Patient Review
11/20/2019
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Patient Q&A Section about leflunomide
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
Is leflunomide a strong drug?
"Leflunomide is an effective DMARD that can cause serious liver, blood, lung, and skin problems. It is also a potent immunosuppressant, which can make infections more severe."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of taking leflunomide?
"If you experience any of the following symptoms, please seek medical attention: bloody or cloudy urine, difficult or painful urination, frequent urge to urinate, nausea or vomiting, yellow eyes or skin."
Answered by AI
What kind of drug is leflunomide?
"Leflunomide is a drug used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults, as well as other rheumatic diseases. It is classified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), which means it is designed to reduce inflammation and prevent permanent damage."
Answered by AI
What is leflunomide prescribed for?
"Leflunomide is a medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, either on its own or in combination with other medications. It is classed as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)."
Answered by AI