Leflunomide

Leflunomide In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Typically inhibits tyrosine kinases to inhibit T and B lymphocyte proliferation, suppress immunoglobulin production, and interfere with leukocyte adhesion and diapedesis.
• Also inhibits dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the pyrimidine synthesis de novo pathway.

Uses of Leflunomide 

• Treatment of systemic histiocytosis.
• Used in canine immune-mediated diseases.
• Clinical veterinary experience of this drug is limited.

Dose of Leflunomide in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 2.0 mg/kg p.o. q24h.

Cats:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (in combination with methotrexate): 10 mg (total dose) p.o. q24h, after significant improvement, reduce to 10 mg p.o. twice weekly.

Side Effects of Leflunomide in Dogs and Cats

• Anorexia.
• lethargy.
• Myelosuppression.
• Haematemesis.

Contraindications of Leflunomide in Dogs and Cats

• Bone marrow suppression.
• Pre-existing infections.
• liver dysfunction.

Some Notes:

• In humans, live virus vaccines, tolbutamide, rifampin and isoniazid should not be given concomitantly.