Leflunomide

[jiml]

Leflunomide

Leflunomide  belongs to a group of medicines called anti-rheumatic medicines. It contains the active substance leflunomide. Because of its effect on the immune system , leflunomide can reduce the inflammation that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints

Leflunomide  is used to treat adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis or with active psoriatic arthritis.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include inflammation of joints, swelling, difficulty moving and pain. Other symptoms that affect the entire body include loss of appetite, fever, loss of energy and anaemia (lack of red blood cells).

Symptoms of active psoriatic arthritis include inflammation of joints, swelling, difficulty moving, pain and patches of red, scaly skin (skin lesions).

• How to take your medicine
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

• For rheumatoid arthritis: 10 or 20 mg Leflunomide  once daily, depending on the severity of the disease.
• For psoriatic arthritis: 20 mg Leflunomide Winthrop once daily.

Swallow the tablet whole and with plenty of water.
It may take about 4 weeks or longer until you start to feel an improvement in your condition. Some patients may even still feel further improvements after 4 to 6 months of therapy.
You will normally take Leflunomide  over long periods of time.

•If you take more Leflunomide than you should, contact your doctor or get other medical advice. If possible, take your tablets or the box with you to show the doctor.

•If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

•Do not take Leflunomide
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to leflunomide (especially a serious skin reaction, often accompanied by fever, joint pain, red skin stains, or blisters e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome) or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- if you have any liver problems,
- if you have moderate to severe kidney problems,
- if you have severely low numbers of proteins in your blood (hypoproteinaemia),
- if you suffer from any problem which affects your immune system (e.g. AIDS),
- if you have any problem with your bone marrow, or if you have low numbers of red or white cells in your blood or a reduced number of blood platelets,
- if you are suffering from a serious infection,
- if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breast-feeding.