title: Leflunomide: friend or foe for systemic lupus erythematosus?
abstract: Leflunomide is a new immunosuppressive medicine that has been effectively used in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently used with success in animal models and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, its use has also been associated with significant and serious adverse reactions involving hematological, hepatic, immune, dermatological and respiratory systems. In the current review, we attempt to describe the two sides of this drug in the treatment of SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Binhu Hospital, The First People's Hospital of Hefei City, Lakeshore New District, Hefei 230001, Anhui, China. gcwu82@126.com
authors.forename: Guo-Cui
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiao-Di
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide