Leflunomide

(le FLU no mide)

U.S. Brand Names

Arava®

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Leflunomide®; Arava®; Novo-Leflunomide

Mexican Brand Names

Arava

Pharmacologic Category

Antirheumatic, Disease Modifying

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and after treatment ends. A pregnancy test should be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting this medicine.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to leflunomide or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust. At the end of treatment, you should undergo a process to get rid of the extra leflunomide in your body. Taking a drug called cholestyramine 3 times a day for 11 days should get rid of most of the medicine. Talk with healthcare provider if you wish to become pregnant. You will need to have blood tests confirming that your body is free of leflunomide before you stop taking birth control.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat arthritis.

How does it work?

• Leflunomide is an arthritis-changing medicine. It reduces inflammation and helps reduce symptoms and protect joints from further harm.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have liver disease or if you have had hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened immune system or severe infection, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts are low, talk with healthcare provider.

• Do not donate blood while using this medicine and for 3 months after stopping.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy. At the end of treatment, you should undergo a process to get rid of the extra leflunomide in your body. Taking a drug called cholestyramine 3 times a day for 11 days should get rid of most of the medicine. Talk with healthcare provider if you wish to become pregnant. You will need to have blood tests confirming that your body is free of leflunomide before you stop taking birth control.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Lung infection.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• If you are a female of childbearing age, take a pregnancy test before starting this medicine.

• If you are a female of childbearing age, check blood work after finishing cholestyramine.

• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not hungry.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• For females, if you become pregnant during or after treatment.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 13:30:41.0

Modified: 2008-02-04 14:46:12.0

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