Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmunity.

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Sanders S, Harisdangkul V

Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmunity.

Am J Med Sci. 2002 Apr;323(4):190-3.

PubMed ID

12003373 [ View in PubMed

]

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.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Leflunomide

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Leflunomide	Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (quinone), mitochondrial	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details