Leflunomide oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes leflunomide oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for leflunomide.

If you want to know more about leflunomide oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Leflunomide oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Arava.

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about a risk of harm if taken during pregnancy and a risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.

Form and strengths of leflunomide

Leflunomide oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg

Dosage of leflunomide

This article describes the recommended dosages for leflunomide oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of leflunomide oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of leflunomide in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a loading dosage of leflunomide oral tablet. A loading dose is a high dose that causes your body to respond to the drug faster. After it, doctors prescribe a lower maintenance dosage for the remainder of treatment.

Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of leflunomide oral tablet that gives the desired outcome. If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage.

Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis

The starting dosage for rheumatoid arthritis is a loading dosage. Doctors prescribe it only for people who can tolerate the high dosage.

• Starting dosage: 100 milligrams (mg) once per day for 3 days
• Maintenance dosage: 20 mg once per day
• Alternate maintenance dosage: 10 mg once per day

Some people can’t tolerate the maintenance dosage of 20 mg once per day. In these cases, the doctor will prescribe the maintenance dosage of 10 mg once per day. A few things determine whether you can tolerate the drug. They include your liver function as well as your red blood cell level and white blood cell level.

Dosage adjustments for leflunomide

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of leflunomide oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• how you react to the drug
• your liver function

Missed dose of leflunomide

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of leflunomide oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of leflunomide oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about leflunomide oral tablet and its dosage.

How does the dosage of leflunomide compare with the dosage of methotrexate?

Leflunomide and methotrexate both treat rheumatoid arthritis. But they have different dosages.

Both drugs belong to a group called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Other drugs in this group are azathioprine and sulfasalazine.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these drugs and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.

Is leflunomide taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe leflunomide oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take leflunomide oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How leflunomide is taken

You’ll swallow leflunomide oral tablet once per day with or without food. Take the tablet whole without chewing, splitting, or crushing it.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Leflunomide coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for leflunomide when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of leflunomide

It’s important that you do not take more leflunomide oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of leflunomide overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• pain in the abdomen
• high levels of liver enzymes
• diarrhea
• low levels of white blood cells
• low levels of red blood cells

What to do if you take too much leflunomide

If you think you’ve taken too much leflunomide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for leflunomide oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of leflunomide oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take leflunomide oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will I take a loading dose of leflunomide oral tablet?
• If I have liver problems, should I take a lower dosage of leflunomide oral tablet?
• How often should I get blood tests during treatment with leflunomide oral tablet?
• What time of day should I take my leflunomide oral tablet dose?

Boxed warnings for leflunomide

This drug has boxed warnings about a risk of harm if taken during pregnancy and a risk of liver damage. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of harm if taken during pregnancy. Leflunomide can cause serious fetal harm if it is taken during pregnancy. Due to this risk, your doctor typically won’t prescribe leflunomide if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you’re able to become pregnant, you’ll need a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with leflunomide. You’ll also need to use effective birth control while you take leflunomide.

Risk of liver damage. In studies of the drug, leflunomide caused severe liver damage in some people. Some damage was life threatening. Due to this risk, your doctor may not prescribe this drug if you have liver problems. Your doctor will test your liver function before prescribing leflunomide. During treatment, your doctor will also order regular blood tests to monitor your liver function.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these warnings.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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 another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein 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.