About leflunomid e
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
Used for
- Treats rheumatoid arthritis
- Treats active psoriatic arthritis
Usual adult dose
Usually 100 mg once daily for 3 days, then 20 mg once daily; some people start at 10 mg daily.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain
- Hair thinning or rash
- Raised liver enzymes
- Increased blood pressure
Important warnings
- Can cause serious liver injury; liver tests are needed.
- Can cause severe birth defects; avoid during pregnancy and use reliable contraception.
- May lower blood-cell counts and increase infection risk.
- Remains in the body for a long time; a washout treatment may be needed.
Pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy. Stop and seek medical guidance if pregnancy occurs; a medicine washout is usually needed before conception.
Breastfeeding
Avoid breastfeeding while taking leflunomide; safety is uncertain and the drug may harm a nursing infant.
Interactions
- Methotrexate and other liver-toxic medicines increase liver injury risk.
- Warfarin may require closer monitoring.
- Live vaccines should generally be avoided during treatment.
- Cholestyramine or activated charcoal can speed removal from the body.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.