Lefra 10mg
Leflunomide 10mg (10 Tablets)
Also known as Arava
Special Warning about Leflunomide
Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with leflunomide. This drug must not be used during pregnancy, nor by women of childbearing age who are not using reliable birth control (contraception). Unless female leflunomide users go through a certain process to eliminate this drug from their body, pregnancy must be avoided for 2 years after this drug has been stopped.
Leflunomide Uses
This medication is used to treat arthritis (rheumatoid type). It works by suppressing your immune system, since rheumatoid arthritis is caused by damage from an overactive immune system.
How To Take Leflunomide
This drug is taken by mouth, generally once daily. Follow directions carefully, as it is generally recommended to start with a special higher dose for the first 3 days, then decrease to the regular dose thereafter. Dosing is based on your medical conditions, response to therapy, and liver function test results. After treatment is stopped, cholestyramine may be given as directed, generally three times daily for 11 days. This procedure is used if you require a rapid removal of the drug from your system. Without the procedure the drug may persist for 2 years. Consult your physician or pharmacist to learn whether you are a candidate for cholestyramine treatment (such as a couple planning to have children).
Side Effects of Leflunomide
Nausea, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, mild dizziness, headache may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your physician promptly. Tell your physician 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 physician immediately if any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual lumps (lymph gland enlargement). Leflunomide has rarely caused serious (possibly fatal) infections and blood disorders due to suppressing the bone marrow and immune system. Tell your physician immediately if signs of infection (such as fever), extreme weakness/fatigue, or easy bruising/bleeding develop. Leflunomide may need to be stopped. The elimination procedure using cholestyramine or charcoal may be required (see How to Use section). Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details. Leflunomide has rarely caused serious (possibly fatal) liver disease, especially in people with other risks for liver disease. Tell your physician immediately if persistent nausea or vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing eyes/skin develop. Leflunomide may need to be stopped. The elimination procedure using cholestyramine or charcoal may be required (see How to Use section). Consult your physician or pharmacist for more details. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your physician or pharmacist.
Leflunomide Precautions
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medication, consult your physician or pharmacist if you have: a severe immune system disorder, bone marrow problems (dysplasia), uncontrolled infections. Tell your physician your medical history, including: any allergies, kidney or liver diseases, blood disorders. Vaccination with live vaccine products while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your physician. Due to possible fetal harm or death, a pregnancy test is needed before starting treatment. Use of reliable birth control is necessary. Consult your physician. This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your physician immediately. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your physician before breast-feeding. To minimize risk, men wishing to father a child should consider stopping this drug and using cholestyramine as directed (see How To Use). Consult your physician. Use of this drug in children/teenagers under 18 years of age is not recommended.
Drug Interactions With Leflunomide
Tell your physician of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially: cholestyramine, drugs affecting the liver (e.g., methotrexate, troglitazone), rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), drugs which depress the immune system (e.g., prednisone, cyclosporine). Do not start or stop any medicine without physician or pharmacist approval. |
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