Leflunomide

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Leflunomide.

Leflunomide, with IUPAC name 5-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2-oxazole-4-carboxamide and chemical formula C₁₂H₉F₃N₂O₂, also called leflunomidum and lefunomide, is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor belonging to the DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) class of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Activated T cells, which are increased in patients with RA, are dependent on de novo pyrimidine synthesis and will thus be more affected by leflunomide's inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase than other cell types that use the salvage pathway of pyrimidine synthesis. It is sold under the brand name Arava.

drug interactions

Leflunomide increases the anticoagulation effects of anisindione, acenocoumarol and dicumarol and warfarin. Rifampin increases the effect of leflunomide.

External Links

• Leflunomide - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).