Leflunomide
About
Leflunomide belongs to the group of medicines called 'anti-rheumatic agents' used to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease (the body's immune system attacks its tissue) which leads to joint pain and damage. Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of inflammatory arthritis which occurs in patients with psoriasis (red patches of skin with silvery scales).
Leflunomide contains 'Leflunomide' an isoxazole immunomodulatory agent which works by blocking the formation of genetic material, i.e. DNA required for survival of replicating (dividing) cells of the immune system. As a result, it suppresses the activated immune system to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.
Take Leflunomide at the same time every day as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, Leflunomide may cause common side-effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, rash, and hair loss. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not take Leflunomide if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Leflunomide may cause serious congenital disabilities. Leflunomide should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk. Leflunomide may cause dizziness, so drive with caution. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Leflunomide as it could lead to increased dizziness and liver damage. Leflunomide may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Uses of Leflunomide
Medicinal Benefits
Leflunomide belongs to the group of medicines called anti-rheumatic agents used to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARDs) which inhibits an enzyme called dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and has antiproliferative activity (suppresses the cell growth). Thereby, helps in treating inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Leflunomide
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Rash
- Hair loss
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Leflunomide if you are allergic to leflunomide, have severe liverkidney problems, low levels of protein in the blood, immune system problems, bone marrow problems, or serious infections. Leflunomide is not recommended to be used in pregnant women, lactating mothers and people below 18 years of age. Talk to your doctor before taking Leflunomide if you have/had serious infections like interstitial lung disease (inflammation of lungs), tuberculosis (TB), or pneumonia. Leflunomide may cause dizziness, so drive with caution. Leflunomide may make you more susceptible to infections; notify the doctor if you develop infections, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Leflunomide may interact with pain killers (ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin), anti-depressant (duloxetine), corticosteroids (prednisone), drugs used to treat arthritis (celecoxib, azathioprine, etanercept, adalimumab, meloxicam, methotrexate, abatacept, infliximab), and anti-malarial (hydroxychloroquine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consuming alcohol along with Leflunomide as it could lead to liver damage.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have low immunity, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), hypertension (high blood pressure), lung toxicity, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), liver and kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Leflunomide. Alcohol intake, along with Leflunomide, may cause liver disease.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Leflunomide while you are pregnant. Leflunomide may cause serious birth defects.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Leflunomide while you are breastfeeding. Leflunomide passes into breast milk.
Driving
cautionLeflunomide may cause dizziness and tiredness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have liver impairment before taking Leflunomide.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment before taking Leflunomide.
Children
unsafeLeflunomide is not approved for children under the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles and relieves joint stiffness. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving joint flexibility and pain management.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting the muscles can help in reducing inflammation and swelling.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Acupuncture, massage and physical therapy may also be helpful.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing flavonoids help in reducing inflammation. These include soy, berries, broccoli, grapes and green tea.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests to monitor your liver function after starting Leflunomide, and for every 6-8 weeks are advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an auto-immune disease (where the body's immune system attacks its tissue) which leads to joint pain and damage. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, inflammation of joints, difficulty in moving and swelling. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have intense joint pain (especially knee joint) with stiffness.
Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and joints (inflammatory arthritis). It mainly affects large joints in the lower extremities, distal joints of toes and fingers, back and pelvis. Symptoms include inflammation of joints, difficulty moving, swelling, patches of red, scaly skin and pain.
FAQs
Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) which stops DNA (genetic material) of the provoked immune system cells required for its survival. Thereby, helps in treating inflammation, redness, and swelling at the damaged site (especially joint).
Leflunomide may cause diarrhoea. Drink plenty of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience severe diarrhoea consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
It might take 4-6 weeks before you notice any benefit. In some cases, it might also take 6 months for you to feel the full effect of Leflunomide. Take Leflunomide for as long as your doctor has prescribed to treat your condition effectually.
Inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, weak immune system and serious infections like pneumonia, or tuberculosis (TB).
