Leflunomide

About Leflunomide

This belongs to the group of medicines known as immunosuppressants.

Leflunomide helps relieves the symptoms and slow down the progress of rheumatoid arthritis; it will not cure the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition caused by the body's own immune system attacking itself. Leflunomide works by supressing the immune system's over reaction, though the exact way in which it works is not fully understood.

Leflunomide is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Arava. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Leflunomide

Before taking leflunomide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from blood pressure problems
• if you have ever suffered from tuberculosis
• if you suffer from blood or bone marrow disorders such as anaemia, leucopenia or thrombocytopenia
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Leflunomide

• Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of leflunomide contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside leflunomide.
• Keep your appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored. You will need to have regular blood tests while taking this medicine.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking leflunomide. Note: some cough and cold preparations contain alcohol.
• If you are female you must not get pregnant while taking leflunomide and for at least two years after treatment has finished. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about suitable contraception.
• If you are male you must not get a woman pregnant while taking leflunomide and for at least three months after treatment has finished. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about suitable contraception.
• Leflunomide may cause dizziness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking leflunomide.
• Leflunomide may cause dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice. If dry mouth becomes too troublesome, discuss the problem with your pharmacist or doctor.
• Leflunomide may need to be taken for four to six weeks before any benefit is noticed, then improvement should continue over the next few months.

Can Leflunomide cause problems?

As well as their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Diarrhoea, feeling sick, being sick, loss of appetite, sore or dry mouth, tummy pain, weight loss, headaches, dizziness, weakness, pins and needles, hair loss, eczema, dry skin, itchiness or skin rashes.

Important: If you experience yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes with darkened urine; skin rash or fever accompanied by a sore throat, mouth ulcers or unusual bruising or bleeding stop taking this medicine immediately and consult your doctor or accident and emergency department of your local hospital as soon as possible.

If you experience any other worrying or troublesome symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist.

How to store Leflunomide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 31/07/2003