monitoring recommendations

Last reviewed 01/2018

Monitor:

  • FBC every two weeks for the first six months; then every two months
  • LFTs and blood pressure - measured monthl for the first six months and then every two months

Stop drug, inform specialist if:

  • WBC < 3.5 x 10^9/l, or,
  • platelets < 150 x 10^9/l, or,
  • if ALT > twice upper limit of normal on two occasions

Note in cases of severe haematological reactions, leflunomide and concomitant myelosuppressives must be discontinued; also a leflunomide wash-out procedure must be initiated.

Reference:

  1. Doctor magazine (December 2002). Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.