OBJECTIVE: To describe leflunomide (LEF) use in a national cohort of 3,325 veterans. METHODS: Prescriptions for LEF and 9 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs written between October 1998 and June 2001 at all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were obtained from VA national databases. RESULTS: LEF was initiated with a loading dose of 100 mg daily for 3 days in 61% of patients, and 42% of patients discontinued LEF. LEF was more likely to be discontinued if a 3-day 100-mg loading dose was prescribed, patients were younger than 44 years or older than 75 years, or reported an annual family income <$60,000. Review of medical records of 291 discontinuers revealed that the most common reasons for discontinuation were inefficacy (30%), gastrointestinal symptoms (29%), medication noncompliance or lost to followup (14%), and elevated liver enzymes (5%). CONCLUSION: LEF is relatively safe in clinical practice. The VA's national databases provide an excellent, inexpensive resource for postmarketing evaluation of rheumatologic medications.
OBJECTIVE: To describe leflunomide (LEF) use in a national cohort of 3,325 veterans. METHODS: Prescriptions for LEF and 9 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs written between October 1998 and June 2001 at all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were obtained from VA national databases. RESULTS:LEF was initiated with a loading dose of 100 mg daily for 3 days in 61% of patients, and 42% of patients discontinued LEF. LEF was more likely to be discontinued if a 3-day 100-mg loading dose was prescribed, patients were younger than 44 years or older than 75 years, or reported an annual family income <$60,000. Review of medical records of 291 discontinuers revealed that the most common reasons for discontinuation were inefficacy (30%), gastrointestinal symptoms (29%), medication noncompliance or lost to followup (14%), and elevated liver enzymes (5%). CONCLUSION:LEF is relatively safe in clinical practice. The VA's national databases provide an excellent, inexpensive resource for postmarketing evaluation of rheumatologic medications.
Authors: Jun Shi; Steven J Kovacs; Yaning Wang; Thomas M Ludden; Vijay O Bhargava Journal: J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 2.745
Authors: Morgan Schultz; Stephanie O Keeling; Steven J Katz; Walter P Maksymowych; Dean T Eurich; Jill J Hall Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2017-05-27 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: E N van Roon; M Hoekstra; H Tobi; T L Th A Jansen; H J Bernelot Moens; J R B J Brouwers; M A F J van de Laar Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: E N Van Roon; T L Th A Jansen; L Mourad; P M Houtman; G A W Bruyn; E N Griep; B Wilffert; H Tobi; J R B J Brouwers Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Ashley M Hopkins; Michael D Wiese; Susanna M Proudman; Catherine E O'Doherty; Richard N Upton; David J R Foster Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2015-10-28 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: E N Van Roon; T L Th A Jansen; L Mourad; P M Houtman; G A W Bruyn; E N Griep; B Wilffert; H Tobi; J R B J Brouwers Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 4.335