[Leflunomide--a new disease modifying anti-rheumatic agent].
BACKGROUND
Leflunomide is a novel disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The agent has been developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but its multiple immunomodulatory properties may in the future be of interest in the treatment of other rheumatic and immunological diseases.


METHODS
Review of the literature in order to present the current relevant clinical documentation of the drug.


RESULTS
The clinical documentation is mainly based on three large, prospective, randomized trials of six months "to two years" duration comparing leflunomide with placebo, sulphasalazine or methotrexate. The efficacy of leflunomide in all trials was superior to placebo and comparable to sulphasalazine and methotrexate. The frequency of adverse events was also comparable to the comparators.


CONCLUSIONS
Leflunomide is a safe and efficacious addition to the roster of antirheumatic drugs, but further clinical trials and experience from clinical practice are needed in the evaluation of its place as a disease-modifying agent.
Rødevand
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Revmatologisk avdeling Regionsykehuset i Trondheim 7006 Trondheim. erodevan@online.no
Kvien
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TK
Johnsen
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D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077339:Leflunomide; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide