A HYPOKALEMIA CASE RES?STANT TO TREATMENT ASSOCIATED WITH LEFLUNOMIDE

Abstract

Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug which is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It prevents inflammation by inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for de novo pyrimidine synthesis. The most common side effect of leflunomide is diarrhea. Rash, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, liver toxicity, hypocalcaemia, hypokalemia, vasculitis are some of the other side effects can be caused by this drug. Here, we present a case of treatment resistant hypokalemia in a patient taking leflunomide for approximately 8 weeks for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• Leflunomide
• hypokalemia