LEFUMIDE-10MG

Description

“LEFUMIDE-10MG” refers to a medication containing Leflunomide 10mg. Leflunomide is a type of drug known as a Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD). It’s an immunosuppressive agent primarily used to treat certain autoimmune conditions.

Key Component: Leflunomide (10mg)

Leflunomide is a prodrug, meaning it’s converted into its active metabolite (A77 1726) in the body. This active metabolite works by:

• Inhibiting Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH): This enzyme is crucial for de novo pyrimidine synthesis, a process essential for the proliferation of activated immune cells, particularly T-cells. By inhibiting DHODH, Leflunomide slows down the rapid growth of these immune cells, thereby dampening the excessive immune response seen in autoimmune diseases.
• Suppressing T-cell Activation: It directly affects the activation and maturation of T-cells, which play a central role in inflammation and the autoimmune process.
• Modulating Immune Cell Function: It also influences the function of other immune cells, like B-cells, reducing the production of autoantibodies that attack healthy tissues.

Essentially, Leflunomide doesn’t just treat the symptoms; it works to suppress the underlying disease process by modulating the immune system.

Uses and Benefits

LEFUMIDE-10MG is primarily indicated for adults for the treatment of:

• Active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects many joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and potential joint damage. Lefumide helps to reduce these signs and symptoms and, importantly, can slow down the progression of joint damage, preserving joint structure and function.
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): A form of arthritis that occurs in individuals with psoriasis. It’s characterized by joint inflammation and skin symptoms. Lefumide helps alleviate the joint symptoms associated with this condition.

Benefits of Lefumide-10mg include:

• Reduced Inflammation: Alleviates joint pain, swelling, and stiffness by suppressing the overactive immune response.
• Improved Joint Function: By reducing inflammation and slowing joint damage, it enhances mobility and quality of life.
• Disease Modification: It has properties that can slow down the progression of joint damage, potentially preventing long-term disability and deformities.
• Symptom Relief: Reduces overall symptoms like joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, and fatigue.

Dosage and Administration

• Always take this medicine exactly as advised by your doctor. The treatment should be initiated and supervised by specialists experienced in treating rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.
• Lefumide 10mg tablets should be swallowed whole with sufficient liquid. Do not chew, crush, or break them.
• It can be taken with or without food, but taking it at a fixed time each day is generally recommended for consistency.
• A common dosing regimen involves a loading dose of 100 mg once daily for the first 3 days (though omission of the loading dose may decrease adverse events), followed by a maintenance dose of 10 mg to 20 mg once daily, depending on the disease’s severity and individual response. For psoriatic arthritis, the maintenance dose is typically 20mg once daily.
• The therapeutic effect usually begins after 4 to 6 weeks, and full benefits may take 4 to 6 months to appear. It’s a long-term treatment, and you should continue taking it even if symptoms improve.

Potential Side Effects

Leflunomide can have significant side effects due to its immunosuppressive nature. Regular monitoring with blood tests is essential. Common side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, diarrhea (most common), abdominal pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), loss of appetite.
• Liver Enzyme Elevation: Increased liver enzymes is common, and severe liver injury is a serious but rare risk. Regular liver function tests are crucial.
• Hair Loss (Alopecia): A notable side effect.
• Skin Reactions: Rash, pruritus (itching), dry skin, eczema. Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) are rare but serious.
• Blood Disorders: Leukopenia (low white blood cell count), mild thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), anemia. This increases the risk of infections and bleeding. Regular blood cell counts are necessary.
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weight Loss
• Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
• Respiratory Tract Infections: Due to immune suppression.
• Paraesthesia: Burning, prickling, or tingling sensation (peripheral neuropathy).

Important Considerations and Safety Advice

• Strict Medical Supervision: Lefumide requires close medical monitoring, including regular blood tests (liver enzymes, complete blood counts) every 2 weeks for the first 6 months, and then every 8 weeks thereafter.
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: HIGHLY UNSAFE. Lefumide 10mg is highly unsafe during pregnancy and contraindicated in breastfeeding. It can cause significant harm to a developing baby and remains in the body for a long time (up to 2 years after the last dose). Women of childbearing potential must use reliable contraception during treatment and until plasma levels are confirmed to be below a safe threshold after stopping. A “washout” procedure with certain medications may be needed if pregnancy is desired or if switching to other DMARDs.
• Alcohol: UNSAFE. Avoid consuming alcohol with Lefumide 10mg, as it significantly increases the risk of liver damage.
• Liver Disease: UNSAFE. Lefumide 10mg is contraindicated in patients with severe liver impairment and should be used with extreme caution in mild-to-moderate cases.
• Kidney Disease: Use with caution. Dose adjustment may be needed for patients with kidney disease.
• Immunosuppression & Infections: This medicine suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of serious infections (including tuberculosis and severe sepsis). Avoid close contact with people who have infections (cold, flu, measles, chickenpox). A TB skin test may be required before starting treatment.
• Bone Marrow Problems: Contraindicated in patients with significantly impaired bone marrow function or low blood cell counts.
• Driving: May cause dizziness or affect vision. Do not drive or operate machinery if these symptoms occur.
• Vaccinations: Avoid live virus vaccines during treatment and for at least 6 months after stopping, as the immune system is suppressed.
• Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor about all other medications, especially other DMARDs (like methotrexate, which can increase toxicity), blood thinners (like warfarin), and hepatotoxic or haematotoxic drugs.
• Washout Procedure: Due to its long half-life, a specific “washout” procedure may be recommended to rapidly remove the drug from the body if toxicity occurs, if pregnancy is planned, or before switching to other DMARDs.
• Children: Not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age due to lack of established efficacy and safety.

Manufacturer and Availability in Nepal

“LEFUMIDE-10MG” is typically manufactured by pharmaceutical companies for distribution. In Nepal, “Lefumide 10mg Tablet” is available through pharmacies, for example, via online platforms like NepMeds.

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.