A case of lenflunomide-induced alopecia areata

Abstract

Leflunomide is an immunomodulatory drug widely used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, especially in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The common side effects of leflunomide are hepatopathy, hypertension, various gastrointestinal complaints and transient hair loss, which are all mild and reversible. Although leflunomide is associated with transient hair loss, only one case of leflunomide-induced alopecia areata has been reported previously. In this case report, we present a 38-year-old male patient who suffered from alopecia areata after leflunomide therapy. (Turkderm 2015; 49: 78-80)