The drug should be administered only after a thorough medical examination. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to remember about the possible increase in the number of side effects in patients who received earlier basic medicines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which have hepato- and hematotoxic effects.
General Precautions
Due to the long half-life of the active metabolite leflunomide A771726, Even with the cessation of treatment with leflunomide, serious adverse effects (eg, hepatotoxicity, hematoxicity, or severe immunological / allergic reactions) may or may not occur. Therefore, when such cases of toxicity occur or when switching to another basic drug after treatment with leflunomide, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of "laundering".
If suspicion of severe immunological / allergic reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome orLyell's syndrome to achieve rapid and effective cleansing of the body from the metabolite A771726 may require a longer appointment of colestyramine or activated charcoal.
When used simultaneously with warfarin, the international normalized relationship should be closely monitored.
Simultaneous use of teriflunomide with leflunomide is not recommended, since leflunomide is a related compound of teriflunomide.
Reactions of the liver
Since the active metabolite leflunomide A771726 has a high affinity for proteins and is excreted by metabolism in the liver and secretion with bile, and can also have a hepatotoxic effect, the use of leflunomide in patients with impaired hepatic function is contraindicated. The use of leflunomide is not recommended in patients with liver disease.
It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for monitoring patients during treatment.
Before the start of treatment, and also at least 1-2 times a month in the first 6 months of treatment, and subsequently every 6-8 weeks, the activity should be checked alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the blood.
Recommendations for correcting the regimen of subsidization or discontinuation of the drug depending on the severity and persistence of increasing ALT levels
With a confirmed 2-3-fold excess of the upper limit of the ALT norm, a decrease in the dosota from 20 mg to 10 mg per day may allow further leflunomide administration provided that the indicator is closely monitored.
If 2-3 times the upper limit of the ALT norm is maintained, or if there is a confirmed elevation in ALT levels that exceeds the upper limit of the norm by more than 3 times, the leflunomide should be discontinued and the "laundering" procedure should begin.
Because of the possible additional hepatotoxic effects, it is recommended to refrain from taking alcohol.
Hematologic and immune reactions
In patients with previous anemia, leukopenia and / or thrombocytopenia, as well as in patients with impaired bone marrow function or the risk of developing such disorders, the risk of hematological disorders increases.
A complete clinical blood test, including the determination of the leukocyte count and platelet count, should be performed prior to treatment, and every 2 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment and then every 6-8 weeks.
Frequent monitoring of hematologic parameters (general blood test, including leukocyte count and platelet count) should be performed in the following cases:
- in patients with recent or concomitantly receiving immunosuppressive or hematotoxic drugs, as well as when taking these drugs after treatment with leflunomide without a period of "laundering",
- in patients with an anamnesis of the corresponding deviations from the blood;
- in patients with corresponding changes in blood tests prior to treatment, not associated with inflammatory joint diseases.
In case of serious hematologic reactions, including pancytopenia, it is necessary to stop taking leflunomide and any other concomitant medication depressing bone marrow hematopoiesis and begin the procedure for washing.
Transition to other types of treatment
Because the leflunomide long remains in the body, switching to another basic drug (for example, methotrexate) without the appropriate procedure for "laundering" can increase the possibility of additional risk even after a long time after the transition (eg, kinetic interaction, organotoxicity).
Similarly, the recent treatment with hepatotoxic or hematoxic drugs (eg methotrexate) may lead to an increase in the number of side effects, therefore, in treating leflunomide, all the positive and negative aspects associated with taking this drug should be carefully considered.
Skin Reactions
In patients receiving leflunomide, it is possible to develop a drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS-syndrome).
If ulcerative stomatitis develops, Leflunomide should be discontinued.
In the event of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis, or other skin reactions and / or reactions from the mucous membranes, it is necessary to cancel leflunomide intake and immediately begin the procedure of "washing". It is necessary to achieve complete removal of the drug from the body. In such cases, the repeated administration of the drug is contraindicated.
Infections
Preparations like leflunomide and possessing immunosuppressive properties make patients more susceptible to various kinds of infections, including opportunistic infections (infections caused by fungi and microorganisms that can cause infections only in conditions of decreased immunity).Emerging infectious diseases are severe and require early and intensive treatment. In the event of a serious infectious disease, it may be necessary to interrupt the treatment with leflunomide and begin the procedure of "laundering".
It is necessary to carefully monitor patients with a positive reaction to tuberculin because of the risk of reactivation of tuberculosis.
Respiratory tract reaction
In the treatment with leflunomide, rare cases of interstitial pulmonary process were noted. The risk of occurrence increases in patients with a history of interstitial lung diseases. Interstitial lung diseases are diseases with a potential fatal outcome, which can occur acutely in patients receiving treatment. Symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath can be a reason for stopping leflunomide therapy and further examination if necessary.
Pperipheral neuropathy
Age over 60 years, the concomitant use of neurotoxic drugs and diabetes can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy. With the development of peripheral neuropathy in patient receiving leflunomide, consideration should be given to discontinuing drug treatment and conducting a "laundering" procedure.
Arterial pressure
Before the start of treatment with leflunomide and periodically after its onset, it is necessary to control blood pressure, as during treatment with leflunomide it is possible to increase it.
Recommendations for men
There is no data on the risk of fetotoxicity (associated with the toxic effect of the drug on the father's spermatozoa) when leflunomide is used by men. To minimize the possible risk to men in planning the appearance of a child, it is necessary to stop taking leflunomide and carry out the procedure of "laundering".
Renal insufficiency
The current experience is not enough for special recommendations on the dosing regimen in patients with impaired renal function. When prescribing leflunomide, patients of this group should be careful. It should be taken into account that the active metabolite leflunomide A771726 has a high connection with blood proteins.