Leflunomide Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have liver disease or if you have had hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened immune system or severe infection, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts are low, talk with healthcare provider.

• Do not donate blood while using this medicine and for 3 months after stopping.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy. At the end of treatment, you should undergo a process to get rid of the extra leflunomide in your body. Taking a drug called cholestyramine 3 times a day for 11 days should get rid of most of the medicine. Talk with healthcare provider if you wish to become pregnant. You will need to have blood tests confirming that your body is free of leflunomide before you stop taking birth control.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Lung infection.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not able to eat.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• For females, if you become pregnant during or after treatment.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.