Leflunomid

Leflunomid

Leflunomide is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). This medication treats both rheumatoider Arthritis and psoriatic arthritis by reducing immune system activity. Patients should expect a gradual response to this medication. The symptoms usually start to improve within four to six weeks, but the full benefits might take four to six months to show. 

This article explains everything about the drug leflunomide, including its uses, what it means for patients, its mechanism of action as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, and crucial safety details. 

Was ist Leflunomid?

Leflunomide stands out from other medications as part of a group called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This immunosuppressive medication works as a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor. This blocks the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and helps preserve joint function by slowing down articular cartilage and bone deterioration. You can find these oral tablets in three strengths: 

• Leflunomide 10 mg tablets
• Leflunomide 20 mg tablets
• Leflunomide 100 mg tablets

Leflunomide Uses

Doctors use leflunomide tablets to treat active rheumatoid arthritis. The medication reduces signs and symptoms and slows down joint damage progression. Additionally, it helps patients with joint pain and improves their physical function. The medication also works well for psoriatic arthritis, though this isn't FDA-approved.

How and When to Use Leflunomide Tablet

• Most patients start with a loading dose of 100 mg once daily for three days. A maintenance dose of 10-20 mg once daily follows this initial phase.
• You should swallow the tablets whole with water and never chew or crush them. 
• You can take the tablets with or without food.
• Taking leflunomide at the same time each day will give a steady level of medication in your body.

Side Effects of Leflunomide Tablet

Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind:

• Durchfall (most common but usually improves after two weeks)
• Übelkeit und Magenschmerzen
• Kopfschmerzen und Schwindel
• Haarausfall (Rare)
• Erhöhte Leberenzyme

Sicherheitsvorkehrungen

• Leflunomide needs careful monitoring. Your doctor will schedule regular blood tests to check for liver damage. 
• You shouldn't take this medication if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon. 
• The drug isn't suitable for patients with moderate to severe kidney problems.
• The medication isn't safe for people with severe hepatic impairment, interstitial Lungenerkrankungoder Infektionen. 
• Inform your doctor about any other medications and herbal supplements you are taking.

How Leflunomide Tablet Work

Leflunomide's effectiveness comes from its active form called teriflunomide. The medicine targets a specific enzyme named dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) in your body. This enzyme plays a significant role in synthesising pyrimidine, which helps cells multiply.

The medicine works by blocking this enzyme and prevents overactive immune cells from multiplying rapidly. This action primarily affects the problematic lymphocytes that cause joint inflammation without compromising your entire immune system.

Can I Take Leflunomide with Other Medicines?

Some medications can be dangerous when combined with leflunomide: 

• Acyclovir
• Certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin
• Cholesterinsenkende Medikamente
• Diabetes Medikamente 
• Lebendimpfstoffe 
• Methotrexat
• Montelukast 
• Teriflunomid

Dosierungsinformationen

The standard treatment follows this pattern:

• Starting dose: 100 mg daily for three days
• Maintenance dose: 20 mg once daily

Your doctor might reduce the dosage to 10 mg daily if side effects occur. Most patients see improvement after 4-8 weeks, though complete benefits may take 4-6 months.

Fazit

Leflunomide provides an effective solution for people who battle with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. Unlike regular pain medications, this treatment targets overactive immune cells directly and slows down the disease's progression. The treatment requires patience. Patients usually notice results within 4-8 weeks, but it takes several months to see the full effects. 

A good understanding of pros and cons helps patients decide what's best for their care. The medication might not work for everyone, but it helps many people maintain their joint function and live better lives under proper medical care.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

1. Is leflunomide high risk?

Leflunomide comes with notable risks. The FDA has added a boxed warning about possible severe liver damage. Nevertheless, the drug is effective for the majority of patients. 

2. How long does leflunomide take to work?

Patients usually see improvements 4-8 weeks after they start treatment. The full benefits might take about 6 months to show up. 

3. Was passiert, wenn ich eine Dosis verpasse?

Take the missed dose once you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next one and stick to your regular schedule. You should never take two doses at once to catch up.

4. Was passiert bei einer Überdosis?

Common overdose signs include:

• Durchfall
• Bauchschmerzen
• Extreme Müdigkeit
• Schwäche
• Blasse Haut
• Schneller Herzschlag
• Kurzatmigkeit

Get emergency medical help.

5. Who cannot take leflunomide?

Leflunomide isn't suitable for:

• Schwangere Frauen and those planning pregnancy
• People with severe liver problems, immunodeficiency, bone marrow disorders, or serious infections 
• Patients with moderate to severe kidney problems

6. When should I take leflunomide?

Take leflunomide at the same time each day. This helps keep steady medication levels in your bloodstream. You can take the tablets with or without food—just swallow them whole with water.

7. How many days to take leflunomide?

Leflunomide treatment is often continuous for many years. It is possible to take it for more than 10 years if it keeps working and no serious side effects develop. Blood tests are a vital part of monitoring throughout your treatment.

8. When to stop leflunomide?

Your doctor might tell you to stop leflunomide if your liver enzymes rise too high, you develop serious infections, or you experience severe side effects. Women planning pregnancy must stop the medication and go through a special process to clear the drug from their body.

9. Is it safe to take leflunomide daily?

Most patients can safely take leflunomide daily. Side effects typically appear early in treatment and tend to fade over time. The medication's side effect profile compares favorably to other DMARDs.

10. What is the best time to take leflunomide?

Morning works best as the ideal time, especially when you have food to reduce stomach upset. The timing itself matters less than consistency—take it at the same time daily to keep medication levels steady.

11. What to avoid when taking leflunomide?

• Begrenzen oder vermeiden Sie Alkohol 
• Lebendimpfstoffe 
• Crowded spaces 
• Raw/undercooked food

12. Does leflunomide cause weight gain?

Studies show leflunomide actually leads to modest Gewichtsverlust. 

13. What foods should you avoid while taking leflunomide?

Raw or undercooked foods increase infection risks and should be avoided. No other specific food restrictions apply to leflunomide users.

14. Do I need to take folic acid with leflunomide?

Folic acid supplements can reduce side effects like fatigue and headaches while offering protection to liver cells.