Arava 20 mg Tablet 30pcs

Leflunomide 20mg Tablets

What is Leflunomide used for:

Leflunomide is a medication that is used in adult patients for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; a medical inflammatory condition that causes your immune system to attack your own organs. It mainly affects your joints in addition to other possible organs such as your skin, eyes, lungs, blood vessels and heart.    

Do not take Leflunomide:

•    If you are allergic to Leflunomide or any of the ingredients in this medicine. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
•    If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
•    If you have severely impaired liver.
•    If you are currently taking teriflunomide.  

Warnings and Precautions:

•    Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you develop allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck, decreased blood pressure and dizziness.
•    Your doctor may recommend an accelerated medication elimination procedure upon discontinuation of the medication in order to help your body get rid faster of the drug and its metabolite. It can take up to 2 years for this medication to leave your body which can put you at higher risk of adverse events.
•    This medication may cause blood problems such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count, platelets are responsible for wound healing and stopping bleeding) and other blood problems. Make sure to monitor for bleeding, delayed wound healing, easy bruising, feeling tired or dizzy, fever and looking pale. If this happens, your doctor may recommend an accelerated drug elimination procedure.
•    Stevens-Johnson syndrome cases were reported from the use of this medication. This syndrome is a rare, serious disease of the skin that usually begins with signs of a flu and followed by a severe and painful skin rash with blisters. Contact your physician immediately if you experience any of these signs.  
•    This medication may cause tingling and numbness in your peripheries. If this happens, make sure to tell your doctor.
•    This medication may lead to interstitial lung disease which can be deadly. Interstitial lung disease causes scarring of your lungs that can lead multiple signs such as shortness of breath, dry cough, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, chest pain and fast breathing. If you experience any of these signs, make sure to contact your doctor immediately.
•    This medication may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Make sure to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. Talk to your doctor in case of increased blood pressure.
•    Severe liver injury has been reported with this medication. Make sure to tell your doctor about any previous liver problems that you have. Contact your doctor if you experience liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
 
Possible side effects of Leflunomide:

Possible side effects of Leflunomide include: allergic reaction, ALT and AST elevations (increase in liver enzymes), rash, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, itchiness, headache, elevated blood pressure, mouth ulcer and runny nose.

Other medicines and Leflunomide:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medications.
•    If you are taking oral contraceptives.
•    If you are taking warfarin (blood thinner).
•    If you are taking methotrexate or paclitaxel (immunosuppressants).
•    If you are taking pioglitazone, repaglinide or rosiglitazone (used to lower blood glucose levels).
•    If you are taking duloxetine (antidepressant).
•    If you are taking ciprofloxacin or Penicillin G (antibiotics).
•    If you are taking ketoprofen (NSAID).
•    If you are taking rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin or pravastatin (cholesterol lowering medications).

How to take Leflunomide:

Adults:
Recommended loading dose for patients at low risk of liver problems and myelosuppression (disorder of bone marrow causing low production of red blood cells) is 100mg daily for 3 days.
Maintenance dose is 20 mg daily. If dose is not tolerated, dose may be decreased to 10 mg daily.
Your doctor should recommend blood pressure tests, blood tests, and active/latent tuberculosis and pregnancy screening before starting you on this medication.  
•    Take with or without food.
•    Take tablet with a full glass of water.

How to store Leflunomide:

•    Store tablets between 15°C and 30°C.
•    Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
•    Do not use beyond the expiry date mentioned on the box.
•    Keep medication in its original pack to protect it from moisture.
•    Do not use damaged pills.
•    Do not dispose pills in the wastewater or household waste.