What is leflunomide?
Leflunomide is a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug works by suppressing autoantibodies of the immune system that causes arthritis and actively fights common inflammation. When using leflunomide, there are risks of side effects, drug interactions and pregnancy, so it is important to discuss a thorough discussion with a physician before starting treatment. Patients taking medicines generally see an improvement in joint mobility and reducing inflammation, pain and swelling within a few weeks.
rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune state in which the immune defense of the body attacks a healthy joint tissue. Inflammation, swelling and stiffness in the hands or joints of the main body joints can be debilitating. Leflunomide helps relieve existing symptoms and prevent the immune system from causing future damage. It is classified as an inhibitor of pyrimidine synthesis, which means that it blocks the action of a particular enzyme involves to trigger the inflammatory reaction of white blood cells.
leflunomide is usually prescribed in the form of a tablet. The initial amount of dosage is usually about 100 milligrams a day for the first three days of treatment. If the patient reacts well, his doctor may reduce the dose to 10 or 20 milligrams to be taken daily. Most people are prescribed leflunomide for one or two years, although the doctor may decide that the use can stop earlier if the symptoms are significantly improving. Once a person's treatment is over, he must usually take another medicine called cholestyramine to rinse the immunosuppressant from the body.
The most common side effects of leflunomide are dizziness, nausea, headaches, stomach cramps and diarrhea. The person can also experience muscle pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and pale skin. Because leflunomide affects white blood cells, patients become more prone to infections during treatment. Doctors usually plan frequent meetings to ensure that the MO infectionLists, pneumonia, influenza and skin infections will not arise. Daily antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infections.
Most people who use leflunomide according to their doctors' orders do not experience serious side effects or frequent infections. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to a drug that causes swelling in the throat and mouth, skin hives and breathing problems. If an allergic reaction occurs, the patient should stop taking medication and immediately seek care for an emergency room. There are other rheumatoid arthritis drugs that can be better tolerated.