Document Type : Editorial
Authors
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Abstract
Among the most common chronic conditions needing chronic drug therapy are chronic rheumatic diseases, diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, depression, psychosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis, coronary vascular disease, dyslipidemia
and also chronic rheumatic disorders are among. Most researchers and pharmaceutical companies are constantly trying to
develop new drugs with more specific measures based on the pathophysiology of the disease in question. Finding an ideal
approach in practice guidelines with minimum adverse drug effects is optimum. Post-drug effects deal with the biological effects
of a medicine lasting longer than expected from its pharmacological half-life. This could be more evident in many drugs,
including hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, leflunomide, dexamethasone, fluoxetine, and other lipid lowering drugs. This
effect not only maintains the therapeutic effect of the drugs, but also reduces the side effects. Leflunomide is an
immunomodulatory antirheumatic and disease-modifying drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well as other
inflammatory arthritis (namely psoriatic arthritis) by inhibiting the synthesis of pyrimidine. Due to the metabolite of leflunomide
in the body and the long half-life of this drug, it is possible to prescribe this drug on a weekly basis. Study results have indicated
that weekly administration of leflunomide has advantages over daily administration, such as the same therapeutic effect, ease
of administration, lower cost of treatment, fewer side effects of medication, and more patient compliance. Thus, based on the
results, it can be recommended that leflunomide be administered weekly.
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