|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (le
FLU no
mide) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Arava™ |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antirheumatic, Disease Modifying |
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| 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? |
|
|
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 the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Lung infection.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing 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.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
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.
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 moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
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).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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