From the Guidelines
Light therapy can be used in combination with leflunomide or infliximab for patients with conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but it should be done under medical supervision with careful monitoring for side effects from each treatment. Leflunomide (typically dosed at 10-20mg daily) and infliximab (usually administered as IV infusions of 3-5mg/kg at weeks 0,2, and 6, then every 8 weeks) are immunomodulating medications primarily used for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Light therapy, on the other hand, is most commonly used for conditions like psoriasis, seasonal affective disorder, and certain skin conditions. According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 1, bright light therapy is recommended for persons with mild to moderate major depressive disorder, regardless of seasonal pattern or seasonal component.
Some key points to consider when using light therapy in combination with leflunomide or infliximab include:
- Both leflunomide and infliximab can cause photosensitivity, so patients should use sun protection and inform their healthcare provider if they experience increased skin sensitivity during light therapy 1.
- There are no significant drug interactions between light therapy and these medications, but careful monitoring for side effects from each treatment is necessary.
- The combination should only be used under medical supervision with careful monitoring for side effects from each treatment.
- If a patient has both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, they might receive light therapy (typically narrowband UVB treatments 2-3 times weekly for several weeks) for skin manifestations while taking leflunomide or infliximab for joint inflammation.
It's also important to note that the evidence for the use of light therapy in combination with leflunomide or infliximab is limited, and more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of this combination. However, based on the available evidence, light therapy can be a useful addition to treatment for patients with conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, as long as it is used under medical supervision and with careful monitoring for side effects.
From the Research
Combination Therapy with Leflunomide and Infliximab
- The combination of leflunomide and infliximab has been studied in several clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 2, 3, 4, 5.
- These studies have shown that the combination therapy can be highly efficacious in reducing disease activity and improving symptoms in patients with RA 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, the combination therapy has also been associated with a higher risk of adverse events, including infusion reactions, infections, and skin reactions 2, 3, 4, 5.
Safety and Efficacy
- The safety and efficacy of leflunomide and infliximab combination therapy have been evaluated in several studies, with varying results 2, 3, 4, 5.
- One study found that the combination therapy was associated with a significant improvement in disease activity, but also with a higher risk of adverse events, including serious infections and infusion reactions 2.
- Another study found that the combination therapy was well-tolerated and effective in reducing disease activity, but that monitoring of adverse events was required 3.
Light Therapy
- Light therapy has been established as an evidence-based treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and can also be used to treat other psychiatric, neurologic, and medical illnesses 6.
- The optimal dose, spectrum, exposure duration, and timing of light therapy have been specified, with a recommended dose of 10,000 lux, white light spectrum, and exposure duration of 30-60 minutes in the early morning 6.
- However, there is no direct evidence on the use of light therapy in combination with leflunomide or infliximab, and further research is needed to determine its safety and efficacy in this context.