Leflunomide Azathioprine

AZATHIOPRINE LEFLUNOMIDE T risk of serious infections (sepsis) and of opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, tuberculosis, aspergillosis) Additive immunosuppression Monitor platelets, white bloods cell, haemoglobin and haematocrit at baseline and regularly - weekly, during concomitant therapy. With evidence of bone marrow suppression, discontinue leflunomide and administer colestyramine or charcoal to T elimination of leflunomide - For signs and symptoms of immunosuppression, see Qinical Features of Some Adverse Drug Interactions, Immunosuppression and blood dyscrasias... 

Azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, leflunomide Lymphocyte-specific cytotoxic agents Mycophenolate mofetil... 

When added to methotrexate background therapy, cyclosporine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, infliximab, adalimumab, rituximab, and etanercept have all shown improved efficacy. In contrast, azathioprine, auranofin, or sulfasalazine plus methotrexate results in no additional therapeutic benefit. Other combinations have occasionally been used, including the combination of intramuscular gold with hydroxychloroquine. 

The synthetic DMARDs include gold salts, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. Less common synthetic DMARDs are penicillamine and minocycline. Synthetic immunosuppressants used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases include the antimetabolites methotrexate, leflunomide, and azathioprine. 

The manufacturers say that the concurrent use of leflunomide and other DMARDs (they list azathioprine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, intramuscular or oral gold and penicillamine) has not yet been studied but they say that combined use is not advisable because of the increased risk of serious adverse reactions (haemo- or hepatotoxicity). As the active metabolite of leflunomide has a long half life of 1 to 4 weeks the manufacturers say that a washout of colestyramine or activated charcoal should be given if patients are to be started on other DMARDs. See also Methotrexate, below. 

Drug Methotrexate Leflunomide Azathioprine Mycophenolate Cyclophosphamide... 

Systemic corticosteroids are required for cases of anterior uveits that are refractory to eyedrops and for cases of intermediate and posterior uveitis because eyedrops cannot adequately penetrate deep into the eye. The initial corticosteroid dose is 40 mg/day of prednisone equivalent, which is adjusted according to the response to therapy. Corticosteroid-sparing alternatives are often considered for sarcoid uveitis because of the toxicity of systemic corticosteroids. Methotrexate (21), azathioprine (22), leflunomide (23), and infliximab (24) have been used for this purpose. 

---