Leflunomide

Q: When and how to consume the medicine?

Leflunomide is consumed after a meal with water , Dose and duration of treatment should be taken as per doctor’s advice

Molecule Description

Leflunomide belongs to the group of medications called immune-suppressive, dise

ase-modifying antirheumatic medicines. It is used for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses of Leflunomide

Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
It not only decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis but also reduces the damage and long-term disability

Contraindications of Leflunomide

When should one not use Leflunomide

Liver diseases, Hepatitis B/ C seropositive
Kidney diseases
High blood pressure
Serious infections
Concomitant live virus vaccines
Diabetes

Side effects of Leflunomide

Common side effects of this drug are:

Nausea
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Headache
Alopecia
Hypertension (increase in blood pressure)
Breathing difficulty
High blood pressure
Liver damage
Respiratory infections

Precautions and Warnings of Leflunomide

Pregnancy

Can I take Leflunomide during pregnancy?

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Leflunomide while breastfeeding?

This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Leflunomide?

This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive until you feel well.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Leflunomide?

Consumption of an alcohol may cause liver problems. Consult your doctor.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

Inform if you have intolerance to some sugars
Inform in case of pale skin, tiredness, or bruising, as these may indicate blood disorders caused by an imbalance in the different types of blood cells which make up blood
Inform in case of tiredness, abdominal pain, or jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eyes or skin), as these may indicate serious conditions such as liver failure
Inform in case of any symptoms of an infection such as fever, sore throat or cough, as this medicine may increase the chance of a severe infection which may be life-threatening
Inform in case of cough or breathing problems as these may indicate lung disease (interstitial lung disease or pulmonary hypertension)
Inform in case of unusual tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet as these may report problems with your nerves (peripheral neuropathy)

Mode of Action of Leflunomide

How Does It Work?

Leflunomide is an immune modifying medicine. It works by inhibiting the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase required for the synthesis of pyrimidine, which is utilized in DNA and RNA. Thus, Leflunomid...

Interactions of Leflunomide

Interactions with other medicines

It may interact with live vaccines such as yellow fever vaccine and influenza vaccine
With medicines such as Methotrexate and Warfarin
With other immune-suppressing medications such as Azathioprine, Cyclosporine, and Sirolimus

Interactions with food items

Avoid alcohol while on treatment with Leflunomide as it triggers side effects.

Dosage of Leflunomide

Overdose

Inform your doctor immediately in case of an overdose.

Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose as early as you remember. Skip the missed dose & do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Mansi Savla

B. Pharm, PharmD

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are there any precautions to take before starting or while on this medication?

Do not receive any live vaccines without consulting your doctor while on treatment with Leflunomide
Avoid contact with any person who has recently received a live vaccine
There are chances that you may catch the virus as immunity is low when on this medicine
Tell your doctor if you ever had TB (tuberculosis) or traveled where TB is common
Monitoring of the liver periodically should be carried out while on treatment with Leflunomide
Do not get near people with active infections like common cold or flu, or any other contagious illnesses
Be very careful about the other medicines that you are taking while on this medicine

Q: When and how to consume the medicine?

Leflunomide is consumed after a meal with water
Dose and duration of treatment should be taken as per doctor’s advice

References

View All

Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Recent articles

See All

High Cholesterol Diet – Foods to Eat & Avoid!

Introduction Heart disease is the primary cause of deaths around the world. Having too much cholesterol can lead to severe cardiac issues. Thankfully, you can control and reduce the cholesterol levels by watching what you eat, i.e. the right cholesterol foods. Everything that you ingest has an impact on your cholesterol levels. Here is our

Your Ultimate Guide To A Balanced Diet For Diabetes

Introduction Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting more than 100 million people in India. Diabetes occurs either due to insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or both which results in high levels of glucose in blood. Managing diabetes is crucial because uncontrolled diabetes can have serious complications like vision loss, kidney failure,

Benefits of Figs Soaked in Water Overnight: Exploring Nutritional Advantages

Key Highlights: Introduction Figs are versatile and scrumptious fruit that has been revered for its proposed nutritional benefits since ancient times. This little fruit, filled with a burst of sweetness, is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that may enhance your well-being. When soaked in water overnight, figs can make a valuable addition to your daily

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Introduction: Recently, dry ice has been in the news due to an unfortunate incident that occurred at a cafe in Gurugram, Haryana. Five diners unwittingly consumed dry ice, mistaking it for mouth freshener. As per news reports, the diners suffered serious injuries to their food pipe and oral cavity after accidentally ingesting the dry ice.

Bubonic Plague Reported: Are We In Danger?

Bubonic plague, which became notorious during the 14th Century in Europe and swept through India from the 1890s to 1910s, is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Contrary to popular belief, this plague isn’t caused by rat bites. The cause of bubonic plague is the bite of infected fleas. These fleas live in the hairs

Simple and Effective Skin Care Routine

Introduction Healthy skin is indicative of the quality of diet and lifestyle one follows. The largest organ of the human body and often overlooked, the skin acts as a barrier and prevents the external components from entering the inside of the body. This entails that, at times, it is exposed to critically harsh conditions, and

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.