Leflunomide or Arave
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
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Pregnant women and women of childbearing age who are not using a reliable method of birth
control should not take leflunomide. Pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 2
years after treatment with leflunomide. If your period is late or you miss a period during
treatment with leflunomide, call your doctor immediately. Talk to your doctor if you plan
to become pregnant after stopping treatment with leflunomide. Your doctor can prescribe a
treatment that will decrease the risk of harm to the fetus.
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Description of Leflunomide or Arave
Leflunomide or Arave is used to relieve some symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis,
such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. This medicine works by stopping
the body from producing too many of the immune cells that are responsible for the swelling
and inflammation.
Before Using Leflunomide or Arave
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic
reaction to leflunomide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Leflunomide must not be taken during pregnancy because it may
cause birth defects in humans.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether leflunomide passes into the breast
milk. However, leflunomide is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause
unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of
leflunomide in children with use in any other age group, use is not recommended in
children up to 18 years of age.
Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older
people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way as they do
in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people.
There is no specific information comparing use of leflunomide in the elderly with use in
other age groups.
Males
Studies have not been done in animals or humans to determine if leflunomide will cause
birth defects in the children of men taking leflunomide at the time of conception.
However, it is recommended that men taking this medicine use condoms as a form of birth
control during sexual intercourse. Men taking leflunomide who intend to father a child,
should stop taking the medicine and tell their doctor immediately.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at
all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction
might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions
may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other
prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC] medicine.
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect
the use of leflunomide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical
problems, especially:
Disease of
the immune system or
Infections,
severe—Leflunomide may decrease the body's ability to fight infection
Liver
disease, including hepatitis B or C or
Renal
disease—The chance of side effects may be increased
Precautions concerning Leflunomide or Arave
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits
Leflunomide may cause birth defects in humans if taken during pregnancy. Therefore, if
you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and
check with your doctor.
Leflunomide may cause birth defects in the children of the men taking it during the
time of conception. Therefore, men taking leflunomide should use condoms as a form of
birth control during sexual intercourse. A man intending to father a child should stop
taking this medicine and check with his doctors.
Do not drink alcohol while using this medicine
While you are being treated with leflunomide, and after you stop treatment with it, do
not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not
all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bloody or cloudy urine; congestion in chest; cough; difficult,
burning, or painful urination; difficult or painful breathing; dizziness;
fever ; frequent urge to urinate; headache; loss of appetite;
nausea and/or vomiting; sneezing; sore throat; yellow eyes and/or
skin
Less common
Burning feeling in chest or stomach; burning, prickling, or tingling sensation in
fingers and/or toes; chest pain; diarrhea; fast heartbeat;
indigestion; joint or muscle pain or stiffness; pounding heartbeat ;
severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; tenderness in stomach area;
unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side
effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check
with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Back pain; hair loss; heartburn; skin rash; stomach pain;
weight loss (unexplained)
Less common
Acne; anxiety; constipation; decreased appetite; dry mouth;
gas; irritation or soreness of mouth; itching of the skin; pain
or burning in throat; red or irritated eyes; runny nose
.
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