RESEARCH - Effect of Arava (leflunomide) on the peripheral nerves in RA

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Intern Med J. 2007 Feb;37(2):101-7.

Effect of leflunomide on the peripheral nerves in rheumatoid arthritis.

s BL, Spies J, McGill N, s GW, Vaile J, Bleasel JF, Youssef PP.

Department of Rheumatology, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney,

NSW, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the

neurophysiological effects of leflunomide on peripheral nerves in

rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort trial of 32 patients with

rheumatoid arthritis with 16 patients receiving leflunomide treatment

and 16 receiving other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

therapies. Clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological measurements

were used to determine the presence of a peripheral neuropathy in

these patients at study entry and then after a further 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS: Fifty-four per cent of the leflunomide group and 8% of the

control group had an increase in their neuropathy symptom score 6

months into the study (P = 0.01). No correlation was found between the

electrophysiological findings and the clinical symptoms. There was no

significant difference between the two groups in upper and lower limb

sensory and motor amplitudes and conduction velocities recorded at 3

and 6 months. One patient developed both clinical and

neurophysiological evidence of a peripheral neuropathy 5 months into

the study that improved after cessation of leflunomide therapy and

cholestyramine washout.

CONCLUSION: After 6 months of exposure we found that leflunomide was

associated with an apparent increase in the clinical symptoms of

peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These

symptoms did not correlate with neurophysiological studies.

PMID: 17229252

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17229252

Not an MD

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Hi, Shanyka.

Don't worry. You won't necessarily have any problems with Arava.

Not an MD

On Thu, Sep 9, 2010 at 7:16 AM, Shanyka Else <shanyka_else@...> wrote:

> <p>Hello Group,</p>

> <p>Hope everyone is feeling great!</p>

> <p>Hi ,</p>

> <p>Thanks for the info on Leflunomide (Arava).  I've been taking it for two

months now.  Haven't felt any bad effects as of yet.  But I'm sure age and

length of treatment have something to do with the peripheral neuropathy.  I'll

ask my Rheumy what she thinks about the study.</p>

> <p>Take care everyone!</p>

> <p>Shanyka in CA<br><br><br></p>

> <p>Sent from on Android</p>