Generic Name: Leflunomide
Brand Name: Arava
Leflunomide is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
It decreases the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and slows
damage to joints caused by the severe disease. It is sometimes
prescribed for other uses depending on doctor/pharmacist. Pregnant
women & women of childbearing age who are not using a dependable
method of birth control should not take leflunomide.
How Is It Used?
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually
once daily or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication
exactly as prescribed. You may be instructed to take a higher
dose for the first 3 days of treatment.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
Nausea, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, mild dizziness, headache
may occur. If any of these effects persist or getting worse,
notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor/pharmacist immediately
if any of the following unlikely but serious side effects occur:
hair loss, chest pain, back pain, mouth sores, muscle cramping,
numbness/tingling sensations.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following highly
unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual lumps
(lymph gland enlargement). It has rarely caused serious (possibly
fatal) infections and blood disorders due to suppressing the
bone marrow and immune system. Tell your doctor immediately
if signs of infection (such as fever), extreme weakness/fatigue,
or easy bruising/bleeding develop.
What particular precautions should I follow?
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular
visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and
to check for unwanted effects.
Leflunomide may cause birth defects in humans if taken during
pregnancy. Therefore, if you suspect that you may have become
pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and check with
your doctor.
It may cause birth defects in the children of the men taking
it during the time of conception. So, men taking leflunomide
should use condoms as a form of birth control during sexual
intercourse.
What about Interactions with Other Drugs?
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription & prescription medication
you are using, especially: cholestyramine, drugs affecting the
liver (e.g., methotrexate), rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), drugs
which depress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine). Do not
start / stop any medicine without doctor/pharmacist approval.
In case of emergency/overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is
near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume
your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the
dose to catch up.
How Should It Be Stored?
To store this medicine:
