Role of leflunomide in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Leflunomide (Arava) is a DMARD engineered and approved for the treatment of active RA. Studies support leflunomide’s comparable efficacy to low-dose MTX and to SSZ. Additionally, leflunomide has been shown to slow radiographic progression in RA. Leflunomide may be used when MTX is contraindicated or not tolerated. It can also be added at a reduced dose (10 mg/day) to MTX in patients who have received benefit from MTX but still have active disease, although the potential of liver toxicity is increased.
