What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Cancer
-Diabetes
-High blood pressure
-Immune system problems
-Infection
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Low blood cell levels (white cells, red cells, and platelets)
-Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
-Recent or upcoming vaccine
-Skin conditions
-Tingling of the fingers or toes, or other nerve disorder
-An unusual or allergic reaction to leflunomide, other medications, food, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Teriflunomide
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alosetron
-Caffeine
-Cefaclor
-Certain medications for diabetes, such as nateglinide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone
-Certain medications for high cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin
-Charcoal
-Cholestyramine
-Ciprofloxacin
-Duloxetine
-Estrogen and progestin hormones
-Furosemide
-Ketoprofen
-Live virus vaccines
-Medications that increase your risk for infection
-Methotrexate
-Mitoxantrone
-Paclitaxel
-Penicillin
-Theophylline
-Tizanidine
-Warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
You should not receive certain vaccines during your treatment and for a certain time after your treatment with this medication ends. Talk to your care team for more information.
This medication may stay in your body for up to 2 years after your last dose. Tell your care team about any unusual side effects or symptoms. A medication can be given to help lower your blood levels of this medication more quickly.
Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and for a while after the last dose. You will need a negative pregnancy test before starting this medication. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for a while after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.
Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication may cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant.
This medicine can cause serious, life-threatening liver damage.