Hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with leflunomide therapy.
Disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis is controlled with disease modifying drugs, many of which have toxic side effects. Pulmonary side effects are common and this has resulted in the development of newer medications with less pulmonary toxicity. We observed that even these newer drugs can be associated with potentially very serious pulmonary toxicity, with hypersensitivity pneumonitis developing after the initiation of leflunomide therapy. We urge caution in the use of leflunomide in patients with pulmonary side effects from other drugs or who have underlying pulmonary disease.
Martin
Neil
N
Western General Hospital and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. nmartin@doctors.org.uk
Innes
J Alastair
JA
Lambert
C Michael
CM
Turnbull
Colin M
CM
Wallace
William A H
WA
D000368:Aged; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide