Leflunomide Oral Tablet

• This drug has black box warnings. A black box warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
• Pregnancy risk warning. You shouldn’t take this medication if you’re pregnant. In addition, you shouldn’t take it if you’re of childbearing age and not using effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor.
• Liver damage warning. Liver damage can occur in anyone taking this drug. People with existing liver damage shouldn’t take this drug. Your doctor may do blood tests to measure liver function at least monthly for 6 months while you take this drug.

Other warnings

• Infection warning: This drug isn’t recommended if you have a weak immune system or serious infections. If you get a serious infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, talk to your doctor to find out if you should stop taking this medication.
• Nerve damage warning: This medication can damage the nerves in some people and cause numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hands and feet. This can go away once the drug is stopped. However, some people continue to have symptoms.
• Blood cell level warning: Your doctor may monitor your blood cell levels regularly. Talk to your doctor if you experience fevers, unusual tiredness, frequent infections, or bruise or bleed easily.

This drug is a prescription medication. It comes as a tablet you take by mouth.

Leflunomide is available as the brand-name drug Arava. It’s also available in a generic version. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Why it's used

This drug is used to treat active rheumatoid arthritis.

How it works

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system becomes overactive and attacks some parts of your body, such as your joints. This drug works to block part of the immune system and proteins in the body that cause inflammation.

This drug is a nonbiologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Leflunomide

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 100 mg

Brand: Arava

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, and 100 mg

Dosage for active rheumatoid arthritis

Adult Dosage (ages 18 years and older)

• Some people receive a starting dose of one 100-mg tablet per day for 3 days. This is called a “loading dose.”
• The recommended daily dose for continuing treatment is 20 mg. If you’re unable to tolerate this dose, your doctor may lower it to 10 mg per day.
• Doses higher than 20 mg per day are not recommended.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Dosage for people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we can not guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained here in is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.