Uses of Arastad

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1. What does Arastad do?

What does Arastad do? Arastad drug has the main ingredient Leflunomide and other excipients, the therapeutic effect of the drug is due to the biological pharmacological mechanism of Leflunomide. Leflunomide is an effective immunomodulatory drug, participating in anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mechanisms. The exact mechanism of action of the drug in rheumatoid arthritis is still unclear, researchers believe that Leflunomide regulates autoimmune lymphocytes, which are responsible for the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. . Arastad has an immunomodulatory effect because leflunomide prevents the spread of activated autoimmune lymphocytes. Drugs are called “prodrugs” because after entering the body, the drug is rapidly metabolized in the liver for the first time and almost completely into the active metabolite teriflunomide (A-771726). Bioavailability of the drug after oral administration ranges from 82 to 95%. Peak blood concentrations of the active metabolite A-771726 occur after 1 to 24 hours. 99% of substance A-771726 is bound to albumin present in blood proteins. The drug is also distributed in breast milk. The drug has a half-life of about 14 days, because it is reabsorbed through the enterohepatic cycle. 43% of the administered dose is excreted in the urine and about 48% is eliminated via the biliary tract in the faeces.

2. Indications and contraindications of the drug Arastad

2.1. Indications Arastad is prescribed in the following cases: progressive psoriatic arthritis, treatment of advanced rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
2.2. Contraindications Do not use Arastad in the following contraindications:
Patients who are allergic to any of the ingredients: Leflunomide, excipients. People with underlying liver failure. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

3. Dosage and how to take Arastad

How to use: Arastad drug is taken orally, patients can use any drug at any time, because drug absorption is not affected by food. It should be noted that the patient should swallow the whole tablet, avoid crushing or breaking the medicine.
Dosage: Arastad is prescribed, patients should not self-administer the dosage, should follow the instructions from the doctor or refer to the following recommended dose.
Adults:
Attack dose take 5 tablets/day for 3 consecutive days. Maintenance dose: Take 1⁄2- 1 tablet per day in rheumatoid arthritis, 1 tablet per day in psoriatic arthritis. The therapeutic effect usually appears after 4 to 6 weeks and can improve further after 6 months of treatment.
Patients with liver failure : Reduce dose to 1-2 tablets per day. It is recommended to test liver enzymes every week, if the index is high, the drug may have to be stopped.

4. Undesirable effects of the drug Arastad

The clinical side effects of Arastad may be as follows:
Common:
High blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, gastrointestinal disturbances diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, nausea, mouth ulcers, asthenia, paresthesia, joint disorders, synovitis, upper respiratory tract infections, eczema and dry skin. Possible allergic reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, vasculitis or erythema multiforme. Hepatotoxicity such as acute liver necrosis, elevated liver enzymes... are usually mild, reversible, but can also become severe and fatal, appearing mainly in the first 6 months of taking the drug. Uncommon:
Peripheral neuropathy, hypokalemia and mild hyperlipidemia. Rarely, aplastic anemia, in the blood count, shows agranulocytosis and decreased platelets. This side effect is more common when the drug is co-administered with another class of myelosuppressive drugs. Infections such as: pancreatitis, pneumonia, severe infection, sepsis can be fatal. Renal failure may occur in patients taking Arastad.

5. Notes when using Arastad

During the use of Arastad, the patient should pay attention to the following issues:
You need to inform the treating doctor about the drugs you are using, because there are possible interactions that will occur. should be considered by the doctor such as methotrexate, warfarin, cholestyramine or activated charcoal, rifampin, some NSAID anti-inflammatory drugs... During the treatment period, patients should not receive live attenuated vaccines. Use caution when using Arastad in the following cases:
The drug is not recommended for patients with severe immunodeficiency or uncontrolled severe infections, bone marrow dysplasia, patients with severe liver failure or hepatitis infection. virus B or C. If a patient taking Arastad develops Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the drug should be discontinued and the cause ruled out. The potential for side effects or drug interactions may continue even after the patient stops taking the drug. The risk of malignancies such as lymphoproliferative disorders, interstitial lung disease can appear at any time when taking the drug. Arastad should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies to evaluate the drug in pregnant women. However, experimentally there may be a risk of fetal death or teratogenicity. Women of childbearing potential should not start treatment until they have confirmed that they are not pregnant and are using safe contraception. Patients must be fully counseled about the risk to the fetus. Do not become pregnant before, during or after treatment with Arastad. The doctor is the one who makes the decision whether to continue breastfeeding or start drug treatment after considering the importance of using the drug to the mother. In the case of unwanted effects such as dizziness, headache, the patient's ability to concentrate and reflexes may be reduced. In this case, the patient should refrain from driving and operating machinery. Above is drug information Arstad. The drug has a therapeutic effect, so it should be prescribed, the patient should not use it on his own. If you have any questions about Arastad, talk to your doctor for advice.
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