Leflunomide
別名: Arava
- **Experimental Use**: This medication is relatively experimental when used in veterinary patients. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any unusual effects (such as decreased appetite, lethargy, or vomiting) are noted. - **Safe Handling**: This drug is a known teratogen (can cause birth defects). Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should **not** handle this medication. Always wear gloves when handling, and **do not crush or split** the tablets. - **Cost**: Treatment can be very expensive, though prices have decreased with the availability of generic formulations. - **Nursing**: Do not allow nursing pets to feed if the mother is receiving this drug; use milk replacer.
劑量必須由獸醫按你寵物的個別情況決定。切勿在沒有獸醫指導下給予人類藥物或其他寵物的處方藥。
用途
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Immunosuppressive as part of a protocol (with cyclosporine) following organ transplant
- Adjunctive immunosuppressive for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
- Treatment of systemic and cutaneous reactive histiocytosis
- Treatment of Evans' Syndrome in a diabetic dog
給藥方式
可能的副作用
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lymphopenia
- Anemia
- Alopecia
- Rash
- Hepatotoxicity
- Severe dermatologic reactions (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome - reported in humans)
- Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia)
- Bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
- Unexplained bleeding
注意事項與禁忌
- Pregnancy (Category X teratogen)
- Hypersensitivity to leflunomide
- Pre-existing immunodeficiency
- Significant renal impairment
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Pre-existing severe bone marrow suppression
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Active severe infections
- **Teratogenicity Warning**: Leflunomide is an FDA Category X teratogen. It must not be used in pregnant animals, and pregnant women should not handle this medication. **Prolonged Half-Life**: The active metabolite (A77 1726) can persist in the body for up to 2 years after discontinuation. If severe toxicity occurs, a washout procedure using cholestyramine or activated charcoal is required. Use with extreme caution in patients with hepatic disease, renal impairment, or pre-existing immunodeficiency.
藥物相互作用
- Charcoal, Activated: Can increase elimination and decrease A77 1726 drug concentrations; used for rapid washout.
- Cholestyramine: Can increase elimination and decrease A77 1726 drug concentrations; used for rapid washout.
- Hepatotoxic Agents: Increased risk for hepatotoxicity when used concurrently.
- Methotrexate: Increased risk of adverse effects and elevated ALT.
- Phenytoin: Leflunomide can increase phenytoin levels.
- Rifampin: Can increase A77 1726 peak levels.
- Vaccines, Live Virus: Should be used with extreme caution, if at all, due to immunosuppression.
- Warfarin: Leflunomide may increase INR.
- Other immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine, azathioprine): Increased risk of severe immunosuppression and bone marrow toxicity
- Live vaccines: Risk of disseminated infection due to immunosuppression
常見問題
Leflunomide用於寵物有甚麼用途？
- **Experimental Use**: This medication is relatively experimental when used in veterinary patients. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any unusual effects (such as decreased appetite, lethargy, or vomiting) are noted. - **Safe Handling**: This drug is a known teratogen (can cause birth defects). Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should **not** handle this medication. Always wear gloves when handling, and **do not crush or split** the tablets. - **Cost**: Treatment can be very expensive, though prices have decreased with the availability of generic formulations. - **Nursing**: Do not allow nursing pets to feed if the mother is receiving this drug; use milk replacer.
Leflunomide對我的寵物安全嗎？
劑量必須由獸醫按你寵物的個別情況決定。切勿在沒有獸醫指導下給予人類藥物或其他寵物的處方藥。
本文僅供一般健康教育，不能取代專業獸醫意見。如寵物身體不適，請諮詢獸醫。