INDICATIONS
ARAVA is indicated in adults for your management of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
INSTRUCTIONS
Take this medicine only as directed because of your doctor. Do not take really it, don't take it more often, and don't take on it for a longer period than your physician ordered.
The dose of the medicine will change many different patients. Follow your physician's orders or even the directions about the label. The following information includes merely the average doses on this medicine. If your dose is unique, don't change it out unless your medical professional informs you to take action.
The amount of medicine that you simply take depends on the strength from the medicine. Also, the volume of doses you are taking daily, some time allowed between doses, as well as the length of time you are taking the medicine depend around the problem for which you are employing the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
For rheumatoid arthritis:
If you miss a dose of the medicine, go immediately. However, if it's almost time for your upcoming dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
STORAGE
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F). Protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine will no longer needed. Store the medicine inside a closed container at room temperature, far from heat, moisture.
Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no more needed. Store the medicine in the closed container at room temperature, faraway from heat, moisture.
Stop using this medicine and look with your medical professional straight away in case you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations inside arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be signs of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Adverse reactions for this usage of leflunomide in RA include diarrhea, elevated liver enzymes (ALT and AST), alopecia and rash.
Along with its needed effects, medication might cause some unwanted effects. Although not many of these unwanted side effects may occur, whenever they happen they will often need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any in the following unwanted side effects occur:
More common
Bloody or cloudy urine
cough
difficult or painful breathing
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
fever
frequent urge to urinate
headache
lack of appetite
feeling sick
sneezing
sore throat
tightness inside the chest
yellow eyes or skin
Less common
Burning feeling inside chest or stomach
burning, prickling, or tingling sensation inside fingers or toes
chest pain
diarrhea
fast heartbeat
indigestion
joint or muscle pain or stiffness
pounding heartbeat
severe stomach pain
lack of breath
tenderness in the stomach area
unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence mysterious
Area rash
black or tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening from the skin
bloating
blood inside the stools
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chills
clay-colored stools
confusion
constipation
continuing vomiting
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
fainting
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
high fever
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
light-colored stools
lightheadedness
lower back or side pain
pains inside the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pale skin
pinpoint red spots for the skin
rapid, shallow breathing
red wounds, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots within the mouth or on the lips
swollen glands
unexplained bleeding or bruising
unpleasant breath odor
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting of blood
weakness inside the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Some unwanted side effects may occur have a tendency to usually do not need medical attention. These side effects might have to go away during treatment because your body adjusts towards the medicine. Also, your health care professional might be able to inform you of ways to prevent or reduce some of these unwanted effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following unwanted side effects continue or are bothersome or if you might have any questions about them:
More common
Back pain
hair loss
heartburn
skin rash
stomach pain
weight loss (unexplained)
Less common
Acne
anxiety
decreased appetite
dry mouth
gas
irritation or soreness in the mouth
itching with the skin
pain or burning inside throat
runny nose
Other unwanted side effects unlisted can also occur in some patients. If you notice every other effects, check using your health care professional.
PRECAUTIONS:
It is essential that your doctor look at progress at regular visits to be sure that this medicine is in working order. Blood tests are usually necesary to check for negative effects.
Using this medicine while you're pregnant can harm your developing fetus. Use an effective kind of birth control to help keep from conceiving a child. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell a medical expert without delay.
Leflunomide can also cause birth defects if the father is applying it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Men taking leflunomide should use condoms like a form of birth control during sexual activity. A man intending to father a child should stop taking this medicine and check regarding his doctor immediately.
Serious skin reactions can take place with this medicine. Stop employing this medicine and check with a medical expert right away if you have any in the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening from the skin; chills; itching; joint or muscle pain; red wounds, often using a purple center; sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or about the lips; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Liver problems may occur while you are employing this medicine. Stop using this medicine and look with a medical expert right away should you be having more than one of those symptoms: abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; loss of appetite; queasiness; skin rash; swelling with the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.
Leflunomide can temporarily lower the amount of white blood cells inside your blood, improving the potential for getting contamination. It can also lower the number of platelets, that are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are specific precautions you can take, particularly when your blood count is low, to relieve the chance of infection or bleeding:
Check with your physician straight away if you might have a cough with or without nausea, shortness of breath, or any difficulty with breathing.
You have to have a skin test for tuberculosis prior to starting using this medicine. Tell a medical expert in case you or anyone inside your home has had an optimistic reply to a tuberculosis test.
Using this medicine may increase your chance of getting serious infections or cancer. Talk to a medical expert if you've concerns about it risk.
Do not take other medicines unless to remain discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamins.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days