Successful Treatment of Interstitial Pneumonitis Induced by Leflunomide.
10.4078/jkra.2007.14.3.268
- Author:
Dong Hyuk SHEEN
1
;
Mi Kyoung LIM
;
Seung Cheol SHIM
;
Sang Ok LEE
;
Seong Wook KANG
;
Ju Kyung SONG
;
You Sun LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji Universitiy Hospital, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Leflunomide;
Interstitial pneumonitis;
Rheumatoid arthritis
- MeSH:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Cholestyramine Resin;
Cough;
Dyspnea;
Female;
Fever;
Humans;
Hydroxychloroquine;
Korea;
Lung Diseases, Interstitial*;
Methotrexate;
Middle Aged;
Pneumonia;
Prednisolone;
Sulfasalazine
- From:The Journal of the Korean Rheumatism Association
2007;14(3):268-273
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug that has been available in Korea since 2003. Leflunomide induced interstitial pneumonitis has been reported as an adverse effect in other countries but not in Korea. A 57-year-old woman was treated with leflunomide since she had been resistant to methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine. She developed high fever, dyspnea, and non-productive cough 3 months after the administration of leflunomide. She was diagnosed leflunomide-induced interstitial pneumonitis based on history, physical, laboratory, radiologic and pathologic findings. The patient was treated by prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day with cholestyramine 24 g/day, resulting in dramatic improvement. Here we report a case of leflunomide induced pneumonitis treated successfully with high dose steroid.
