Is leflunomide as safe and effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as other DMARDs?

Compared with placebo, leflunomide improves clinical outcomes and delays radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis. After two years of treatment, leflunomide is as safe as sulfasalazine and more effective. Leflunomide's efficacy and adverse events are similar to those of methotrexate. Leflunomide costs significantly more than sulfasalazine and methotrexate.