Leflunomide

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile arthritis
Treatment
1 FDA approval
20 Active Studies for Leflunomide

What is Leflunomide

LeflunomideThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLeflunomide 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.
Aravais the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
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 PatientsLeflunomide 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 bodyLeflunomide 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
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Juvenile arthritis
, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 15.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - 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 RiskThe highest dose of this drug that is considered safe has been found to be between 100-250 mg/kg.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

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
62 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Juvenile arthritis
16 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable

Leflunomide Reviews: What are patients saying about Leflunomide?

5Patient Review
12/9/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
This medication finally provided me with the relief I had been seeking. Love it!
4.7Patient Review
4/3/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
This provided excellent relief from my joint pain. However, I developed a really itchy rash on my back. Going to call the doctor tomorrow.
4.3Patient Review
7/7/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I have found that this medication helps my joints a lot, however I am not sure if it is the cause of the ulcers in my mouth and side of mouth cracks. When I stop taking leflunomide, my mouth gets better, so I think there is a correlation.
4.3Patient Review
8/5/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Leflunomide was great for decreasing the pain of RA. However, I began having serious breathing problems and had to stop taking it immediately.
4Patient Review
10/20/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Since December 2016, I've been on 20mg of this medication. It's helped a lot, though my knees still ache some (but not enough to warrant pain relief). I do sometimes feel spacey, but that could be due to other factors. My blood pressure has stayed in a normal range while taking this drug.
4Patient Review
1/26/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was feeling pretty discouraged after reading some of the other reviews, but I decided to give this treatment a try anyway. So far, I'm really glad that I did! I've only been taking leflunomide for a short while now, but I already feel like the pain is lessening. From what I understand, it can take several weeks for the full effect to kick in, so fingers crossed that things continue to improve. The only downside thus far is that I sometimes feel a bit spacey and out of it.
3.7Patient Review
8/5/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
It's difficult to say how much this medication helped because several changes were made at the same time.
3.7Patient Review
7/12/2017
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I've been taking the 10 mg dosage and have felt a bit dizzy, though I'm getting used to it. My blood pressure has also been lower than normal (90/60), but is now back up to a more healthy level (110/70).
3Patient Review
8/20/2014
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unfortunately, I had an adverse reaction to MTX, so I've been taking Leflunomide for the past 12 weeks. In addition to the 10mg/day dosage of that, I also take 10mg Prednisone. Some of the daily side effects I experience are loose stools, hair loss, rapid heart beat and chest pain, buttock and hamstring muscle pain. None of these have been alleviated by the medication change thus far and I'm still experiencing severe RA joint swelling and pain.
3Patient Review
10/12/2020
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I had some gastrointestinal issues while taking this medicine, as well as hair loss. I will be asking my doctor to take me off of it soon. I didn't like how it made me feel numb.
2.3Patient Review
10/22/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I tried this medication, but I didn't feel like it was effective. I also tried IV therapy, which seemed to work better for me.
1Patient Review
6/17/2016
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was on this drug for six weeks while also taking prednisone. Once I stopped taking the prednisone as instructed, my muscle pain and swelling got worse.
1Patient Review
9/3/2021
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I developed a horrible rash of blisters and redness after only 30 days. I'm now on my third round of Prednisone, and it's barely helping. My feet are so sore I can't walk, and my hands and shoulder are in constant pain.
1Patient Review
11/20/2019
Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was on this medication for approximately twelve months when I started to experience numbness in all of my toes. Now, I have permanent nerve damage as a result.
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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

Clinical Trials for Leflunomide

Have you considered Leflunomide clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Leflunomide, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Leflunomide clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Leflunomide, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Leflunomide clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Leflunomide, we think they might fit your search criteria.