Leflunomide is used in the treatment of:
Correct Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis
Description: Ans. a (Rheumatoid arthritis). (Ref. Harrison's medicine 16th ed. 1966, 1975, 2313)Longstanding, stable, mild cases of rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with analgesics and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, it is now believed that the disease is best treated aggressively in its early phase before erosions and extra-articular pathology can occur. The treatment is with DMARDs such as methotrexate, gold, sulphasalazine/Salazopyrin, leflunomide, penicillamine and ciclosporin. The most recent development are anti- TNF drugs such as etanercept and infliximab and monoclonal antibodies like rituximab and ibritumomab.LEFLUNOMIDE# It is a immunosuppressive agent# It is a relatively lymphocyte-specific pyrimidine antagonist.# It acts by inhibiting de novo Pyrimidine synthesis by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, resulting in an anti- proliferative effect on T cells.# It is effective in Rx of rheumatoid arthritis (and being tried in SLE).# Has its therapeutic effects similar to those of the DMARDs.- It is used as monotherapy in patients who have had adverse reactions to methotrexate or inadequate responses to it.# The major side effect is the associated increase in liver function enzymes.
Category:
Pharmacology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now