You should not begin taking leflunomide until you have taken a pregnancy test with negative results and your doctor tells you that you are not pregnant. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600032.htmlTo use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. Take leflunomide exactly as directed. Leflunomide may harm the fetus. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, in other over-the-counter products), aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen [Advil, Motrin] and naproxen [Aleve, Naprosyn], cholesterol-lowering medications (statins), hydroxychloroquine, iron products, isoniazid (Laniazid, in Rifamate, in Rifater), methotrexate (Trexall), niacin (nicotinic acid), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). -Animal studies have revealed signs of teratogenicity and embryolethality. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.Receiving medications which suppress the immune system may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Your doctor can prescribe a treatment that will help to remove this medication more quickly from your body.Leflunomide may cause liver damage that can be life-threatening and even cause death. However, there is less evidence in humans. If your period is late or you miss a period during treatment with leflunomide, call your doctor immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment.Leflunomide may help control the symptoms of your rheumatoid arthritis but does not cure it. Leflunomide is in a class of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Do not take leflunomide if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had hepatitis or any other type of liver disease and if you if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol. Information is also available online at Do not let anyone else take your medication. Available for Android and iOS devices. Do not stop taking leflunomide without talking to your doctor.This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.Your doctor may need to decrease your dose or stop treatment if you experience certain severe side effects. Help Us Better Understand the Effects of Arava® (leflunomide) in Pregnancy. Leflunomide may harm the fetus. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to leflunomide.Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking leflunomide.Leflunomide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function). The risk for liver damage is greatest in people taking other medications known to cause liver damage, and in people who already have liver disease. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom) and light.Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant within 2 years after stopping treatment with leflunomide. Men taking leflunomide will be advised to stop taking it and have a washout treatment, as a precaution, before trying to father a child. 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