Leflunomide Oral - Leflunomide - Oral Generic Drug

General Information

• Below is miscellaneous information regarding Leflunomide Oral
• Arava
• leh-FLEW-no-mide

Overdose

• If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Read Before Using Leflunomide Oral (precautions)

• This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
• Before using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have.

Medicinal Applications

• 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.

Warning

• 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 Oral Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Leflunomide Oral Miscellaneous Notes

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Laboratory and/or medical tests (for example, liver function and blood counts-CBC/platelets) will be performed periodically to monitor your progress and check for side effects, especially if you are using this drug in combination with methotrexate.

What To Do In Case Of Missed 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.

Drug Interactions

• Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially.

What To Do In Case Of Medical Emergency

• Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
• For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Usage Instructions

• 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 doctor or pharmacist to learn whether you are a candidate for cholestyramine treatment (such as a couple planning to have children).

Possible Side Effects

• Nausea, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, mild dizziness, headache may occur.
• If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
• Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following unlikely but serious side effects occur.