Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Leflunomide Tablets, USP is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor. The chemical name for leflunomide is N-(4´-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide. It has an empirical formula C 12 H 9 F 3 N 2 O 2 , a molecular weight of 270.2 and the following structural formula: Leflunomide is available for oral administration as tablets containing 10 or 20 mg of active drug.
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Leflunomide is an isoxazole immunomodulatory agent that inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (a mitochondrial enzyme involved in de novo pyrimidine synthesis) and has antiproliferative activity. Several in vivo and in vitro experimental models have demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Following oral administration, leflunomide is metabolized to an active metabolite, teriflunomide, which is responsible for essentially all of leflunomide's in vivo activity. Plasma concentrations of the parent drug, leflunomide, have been occasionally seen at very low concentrations. Studies of the pharmacokinetics of leflunomide have primarily examined the plasma concentrations of the active metabolite, teriflunomide.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Leflunomide Tablets, USP are indicated for the treatment of adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Leflunomide tablets are a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with active rheumatoid arthritis. ( 1 )
Common Doses
- 100 mg
- 20 mg
- 10 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Loading dosage for patients at low risk for leflunomide -associated hepatotoxicity and leflunomide -associated myelosuppression: 100 mg daily for 3 days. ( 2.1 ) Maintenance dosage: 20 mg daily. ( 2.1 ) Maximum recommended daily dosage: 20 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) If 20 mg once daily is not tolerated, may decrease dosage to 10 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) Screen patients for active and latent tuberculosis, pregnancy test (females), blood pressure, and laboratory tests before starting leflunomide tablets.( 2.2 ) 2.
Black Box Warning
WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY and HEPATOTOXICITY Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Leflunomide is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because of the potential for fetal harm. Teratogenicity and embryo-lethality occurred in animals administered leflunomide at doses lower than the human exposure level. Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment with leflunomide in females of reproductive potential. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during leflunomide treatment and during an accelerated drug elimination procedure after leflunomide treatment.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Leflunomide tablets are contraindicated in: Pregnant women. Leflunomide may cause fetal harm. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking this drug, stop leflunomide, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to the fetus, and begin a drug elimination procedure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 and 5.3 ) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Patients with known hypersensitivity to leflunomide or any of the other components of leflunomide tablets.
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Bone marrow suppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Interstitial lung disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Following oral administration, leflunomide is metabolized to an active metabolite, teriflunomide, which is responsible for essentially all of leflunomide's in vivo activity. Drug interaction studies have been conducted with both leflunomide and with its active metabolite, teriflunomide, where the metabolite was directly administered to the test subjects. Effect of potent CYP and transporter inducers Leflunomide is metabolized by CYP450 metabolizing enzymes.