Leflunomide (Arava)
Leflunomide (Arava) is a costly medicine. It is a DMARD (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs ).
It is supplied through the dispensaries and a copy of the prescription is kept.
Drug Name Leflunomide (Arava) -- First new DMARD approved in more than 10 years. Blocks autoimmune antibodies and reduces inflammation. Inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. Studies indicate that it reduces symptoms, possibly better than MTX, and may even slow progression of RA. Use with caution in renal insufficiency
Adult Dose Initial: 100 mg/d PO for 3 d
Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg/d PO Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity Interactions Cholestyramine and charcoal reduce effects; concomitant rifampin increases toxicity
Pregnancy X - Contraindicated in pregnancy
Precautions Serious adverse reactions include hepatotoxicity and immunosuppression; other reactions include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, bronchitis, headache, hypertension, dizziness, and alopecia; caution if impaired liver or renal function or if immunodeficient; leflunomide is a prodrug and active metabolite has a very long plasma half-life (approximately 15 d); with serious toxicity, can be cleared more quickly using cholestyramine 8 mg tid
Dr Marwah
It is supplied through the dispensaries and a copy of the prescription is kept.
Drug Name Leflunomide (Arava) -- First new DMARD approved in more than 10 years. Blocks autoimmune antibodies and reduces inflammation. Inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. Studies indicate that it reduces symptoms, possibly better than MTX, and may even slow progression of RA. Use with caution in renal insufficiency
Adult Dose Initial: 100 mg/d PO for 3 d
Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg/d PO Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity Interactions Cholestyramine and charcoal reduce effects; concomitant rifampin increases toxicity
Pregnancy X - Contraindicated in pregnancy
Precautions Serious adverse reactions include hepatotoxicity and immunosuppression; other reactions include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, bronchitis, headache, hypertension, dizziness, and alopecia; caution if impaired liver or renal function or if immunodeficient; leflunomide is a prodrug and active metabolite has a very long plasma half-life (approximately 15 d); with serious toxicity, can be cleared more quickly using cholestyramine 8 mg tid
Dr Marwah
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment