Lefumide 10 mg is a prescription for adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system turns against a patient’s joint tissue. This brings the onset of inflammation, and the patient can have pain, swelling, and stiffness, which gradually leads to deformities of the joints. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Lefumide reduces or suppresses the abnormal activation and multiplication of cells responsible for the inflammation to a certain extent. Patients can expect a significant reduction in arthritis signs and symptoms. It may take up to four weeks until you start to feel an improvement in your symptoms.

Lefumide 10 mg has been prescribed for you alone. Do not give this medicine to anyone, even if their symptoms are the same as yours, as it may cause more harm than good. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass full of water. You can take it before or after consuming food.

If you forget to take a tablet of Lefumide, you should be advised to take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time for you to take your next dose. The patient should be advised not to double up on the next dose to make up for the missed one.

Tell your doctor and do not start treatment with Lefumide if you:

  — Suspect you may be pregnant, you must inform your doctor and must not start taking Lefumide. Leflunomide may increase the risk of having a baby with a congenital disability.

  — Are of childbearing age, confirm with a pregnancy test before starting Leflunomide treatment. There is also a risk that male patient taking this medication might father a deformed baby.

  — Have a liver disorder. Otherwise, your disease may get worse.

  — Suffer from a disease that decreases the strength of your body’s defence against infection

  — Have ever had an allergic reaction to Leflunomide, teriflunomide, or other pharmaceutical agents.

  — Suffering from serious infections. Your infection may be more difficult to treat.

  — In breastfeeding, Lefumide passes into breast milk, and its effect on the nursing infant is unknown.

  — Younger than 18, you are not recommended to take Leflunomide. This is because there is not enough evidence that shows its effectiveness in children and adolescents.

The risk of liver injury may be increased if Lefumide is combined with other medications. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the medications that you have been using, as they may reduce the effectiveness of Leflunomide. 

The most frequently reported adverse effects of Lefumide are a mild increase in blood pressure, headache, nausea, vomiting, paraesthesia, leucopenia, oral mucosal disorders, increased hair loss, rash, eczema, dry skin,  anorexia, mild allergic reactions, asthenia, and elevation of liver parameters. Leflunomide can also cause abnormal liver function tests or decreased blood cell or platelet counts. Rarely, this medicine may cause lung problems, such as cough, lung injury and shortness of breath.