Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Severe Hepatotoxicity in an RA Patient

Methotrexate is a well-known hepatotoxic drug.
Leflunomide, which is a newer DMARD, has also been associated with the risk of severe taxonomic group meat disorders, which is evident from clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance worldwide.
The European Job for the Human action of Medicinal Products had received 296 reports of hepatic reactions with leflunomide, including cirrhosis (2 patients) and organs luck (15 patients), with happening occurring in 9 patients.
However, the bulk of hepatic reactions were associated with other confounding factors, including concomitant use of hepatotoxic drugs.
In 2000-2001, the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Citizens administrative body (ADRAC) of Authorities had received 32 reports of hepatic disorders with leflunomide.
Twenty-six of 32 patients had elevated hepatic enzymes and 2 patients had a fatal end point.
Monotherapy with leflunomide and monotherapy with methotrexate have been associated with elevated hepatic enzymes.
In a randomized, double-blind memorizer of a comparability between leflunomide (n = 192) and methotrexate (n = 192), Stalk and colleagues had reported ALT levels > 3 time unit ULN in 4.4% of patients who were receiving leflunomide and in 2.7% of patients who were receiving methotrexate.
These elevations accounted for care discontinuation in 7.1% of patients who were receiving leflunomide and 3.3% of patients who were receiving methotrexate.
Thus, the oftenness of hepatotoxicity and the grammatical construct of withdrawals were higher with leflunomide as compared with methotrexate.
This is a part of article Severe Hepatotoxicity in an RA Patient Taken from "Leflunomide Arava 20Mg" Information Blog

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