Generic Arava ® : LEFLUNOMIDE
LEFLUNOMIDE is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Arava ®
Arava ® is the registered trademark of Aventis Pharmaceticals

Medication information about generic Arava
Important information about usage, risks and possible side-effects..

Tablets Chemical Name: LEFLUNOMIDE ( le-FLUN-o-mide)

Possible Uses of This Medication This medicine is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Before using WARNING: Pregnancy must be excluded before the start of treatment with leflunomide. This drug must not be used during pregnancy, nor by women of childbearing age who are not using reliable birth control ( contraception). Unless female leflunomide users go through a certain process to eliminate this drug from their body, pregnancy must be avoided for 2 years after this drug has been stopped. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of blood, bone marrow, or immune system disorders. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

How to take this medication Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. 

Cautions DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more to notice any improvement while taking this medicine. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE TO INFECTION. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING IMMUNIZATIONS ( VACCINATIONS) for up to 2 years after stopping this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. You must have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medicine. Use a reliable form of birth control while taking this medicine and for 2 years after stopping this medicine. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT or if your period is late, contact your doctor immediately. If you plan to become pregnant within 2 years of stopping this medicine, you may need to follow drug elimination procedures. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for more information about these procedures. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea or hair loss. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience a skin rash, headache, flushing, blurred vision, sudden onset of sweating, pale skin, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools, unusual fatigue, or loss of consciousness. If signs of infection, anemia, or easy bruising or bleeding develop, this medicine may need to be stopped. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take with and without a prescription. 

Missed Dose IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. do not double the next dose
 
IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. do not double the next dose

Storage Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Other Information FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. Carry an identification card at all times that says you are diabetic. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly according to your doctor's directions. If your blood sugar level is often higher than it should be and you are taking this medicine according to directions, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.