Leflunomide: modern look at safety problem (literature review)

Abstract

In accordance with the recommendations of EULAR and ARR methotrexate (MTX) is the first-line drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In cases where the use of MTX is impossible due to its ineffectiveness or adverse drug reactions (ADRs), leflomide (LEF) or sulfasalazine is most commonly used in routine clinical practice. This article presents generalized data on the safety of LEF in the treatment of patients with RA. It was shown that ADRs associated with the LEF were most often met in the first year of treatment. The most frequent ADRs were arterial hypertension, hair loss, diarrhea, dermatitis of different localization, increasing the level of transaminases, pancytopenia and others.