Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. It is used to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Bloody or cloudy urine 2. Chest tightness 3. Cough 4. Difficult or painful breathing 5. Difficult, burning, or painful urination 6. Dizziness 7. Fever 8. Frequent urge to urinate 9. Headache 10. Loss of appetite 11. Nausea or vomiting 12. Sneezing 12. Sore throat 13. Yellow eyes or skin |
| Additional Information | 1. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor; do not skip doses. 2. It is also used off-label for cancer and psoriatic arthritis. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | Take this medication orally with a sip of water |
Leflunomide Uses
Leflunomide 10 mg is an antirheumatic medicine belonging to the category of anti-rheumatic drugs and is used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis
Leflunomide side effects
More Common
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Chest tightness
- Cough
- Difficult or painful breathing
- Difficult, burning, or painful urination
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Yellow eyes or skin
Less Common
- Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- Burning, prickling, or tingling sensation in the fingers or toes
- Chest pain
- Diarrhea
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Indigestion
- Joint or muscle pain or stiffness
- Severe stomach pain
- Tenderness in the stomach area
How Leflunomide works
Leflunomide helps in rheumatoid arthritis by stopping immune cells from multiplying. It blocks the building blocks of unwanted immune cells that attack the body tissue and bones. This lower swelling, pain, and joint damage.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
Leflunomide may affect the developing fetus, particularly in early pregnancy. Consult with your healthcare provider before using.
Breastfeeding
The medicine can pass into breast milk and may affect the baby’s health. Doctors usually recommend avoiding it or using an alternative while breastfeeding.
Liver Problems
Leflunomide is processed in the liver. If your liver is not working well, the medicine can build up in your body, increasing the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, or confusion.
Allergy or Hypersensitivity
If you have ever had an allergy to leflunomide, inform your doctor before using it, as it may cause serious reactions like rash, swelling, or breathing problems.
Leflunomide Interaction with Food Product
Leflunomide can interact with certain foods and medicines. Eating aged cheese, smoked meats, alcohol, or foods rich in tyramine while on this drug can dangerously raise blood pressure.
Leflunomide Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Leflunomide with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Leflunomide Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
5-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2-oxazole-4-carboxamide
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take leflunomide exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
Do not take more than 100 mg of leflunomide a day, as the maximum dose increases the risk of serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, confusion, numbness, or seizures. In such a case, seek medical help immediately.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature.
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Directions for use
- Take leflunomide exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking leflunomide without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take leflunomide, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Leflunomide Summary
Leflunomide 10 mg is a disease‑modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that lowers inflammation by calming down the immune system. It is approved for rheumatoid arthritis. Its off-label uses include psoriatic arthritis and cancer. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, liver problems, and high blood pressure. Alcohol should be avoided because it increases liver damage risk. People with severe liver disease, pregnancy, or serious infections should not take it. Taking more than 100 mg of this medicine causes overdosing effects like severe diarrhea, liver injury, and bone marrow suppression.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of leflunomide?
Leflunomide is mainly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, helping reduce joint pain, swelling, and damage; it is also sometimes prescribed off‑label for psoriatic arthritis.
What are the side effects of leflunomide?
Leflunomide can cause side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, hair thinning, skin rash, weight loss, and high blood pressure. More serious risks include liver damage, lowered blood cell counts, and increased chance of infections, so regular monitoring is important
How does leflunomide work?
Leflunomide works by blocking an enzyme that immune cells need to make DNA, which slows their growth and activity; this calms the overactive immune system and reduces joint swelling and pain in arthritis.
Can I take leflunomide during pregnancy?
No, leflunomide should not be taken during pregnancy because it can harm the baby and cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant must avoid it, and men taking it should also use contraception since the drug can stay in the body for a long time.
Reference
- StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Leflunomide. [Updated 2024 Dec 19; cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3899, Leflunomide [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine; 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from.
- Cerner Multum. Leflunomide: Uses, side effects & warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com; 2025 Dec 24 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from.
- Weiser P, Westphalen D. Leflunomide (Arava): Uses, side effects, interactions, pictures, warnings & dosing [Internet]. WebMD; 2025 Jan 8 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Leflunomide (oral route) [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2026 Feb 1 [cited 2026 Mar 10]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.