Question 1

my mom, 60, is on methotrex 10 mg per week and leflunomide 10 mg/day for her r.a. for  1 year. does she require folinic acid or is folate (folic acid) 5mg/day ok?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid ok!: She will do fine with the folic acid! 10mg of mtx is a low dose.  By the way, recent paper suggested that the drugs your mom takes very effective for ra. Just read it today!

Question 2

where can i buy arava (leflunomide)?

Accepted Answer

Rx only: Arava is a prescription drug for rheumatoid arthritis. It needs to be prescribed and monitoring by a physician familiar with its use. Arava or the generic, leflunomide, can be purchased through most pharmacies and long term distribution pharmacies.

Question 3

what is the antidote for leflunomide?

Accepted Answer

Cholestyramine: Leflunomide needs to be washed out of your body with cholestyramine.

Question 4

can leflunomide cause bleeding?

Accepted Answer

If?: It can lower platelets.  If liver problems (hepatitis occurs, lower fibrinogen levels occur and can also cause bleeding.  Low platelet counts are more likely.

Question 5

are many people with ra taken off leflunomide?

Accepted Answer

Some: The main reasons people are taken off Leflunomide is that the drug doesn't work for them or that it causes a side-effect. Sometimes Leflunomide is no longer needed because another drug is treating the rheumatoid arthritis so well.

Question 6

is arava (leflunomide) cheaper then methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Methotrexate cheaper: Generic Methotrexate is very inexpensive.  If you get name brand pills it's more, but generic version of Arava (leflunomide) is more expensive than Methotrexate and Arava is the most expensive.  In my experience, Methotrexate works better and has less frequent dosing (weekly instead of daily). I only use Leflunomide (arava) if Methotrexate can't be used for some reason. Side effects are similar.

Question 7

could leflunomide cause bleeding to the back passage?

Accepted Answer

Not unless....: If the drug causes a low platelet count, it can cause or promote bleeding anywhere.  I have not seen this in my rheumatology practice, having many arthritis and psoriasis patients on this!

Question 8

i have ra and am on prednsion and arava, (leflunomide) what do you think about being on both?

Accepted Answer

Common combination: In rheumatoid arthritis Prednisone is given with a variety of other  medication during therapy. We try to taper  people off Prednisone because  of its  long term risks and side effects. Each medication has side effects including some of these: risk of  infection, bone loss, osteoporosis, cataracts, weight gain with Prednisone and blood count and liver test with (leflunomide) generic name of arava.

Question 9

is there anyone on leflunomide for inflammatory arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Yes!: It vis what I use next after s.C. Methotrexate, inn most situations where the drug is important!  it is potentially more toxic (liver), but appropriate monitoring should minimize any risk.  It is a potent and good anti-inflamatory drug.

Question 10

what are the chances of arava (leflunomide) harming a baby while pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Quite serious: Leflunomide is category X by the FDA, the highest rating for potential for birth defects. If pregnant a doctor must follow a strict protocol outlined by the FDA.  There are to date no major studies regarding pregnancy outcome in actual patients.

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Doctor answers about:

Leflunomide 10 mg

A member asked:

My mom, 60, is on methotrex 10 mg per week and leflunomide 10 mg/day for her r.a. for 1 year. does she require folinic acid or is folate (folic acid) 5mg/day ok?

A member asked:

Where can i buy arava (leflunomide)?

A member asked:

What is the antidote for leflunomide?

A member asked:

Can leflunomide cause bleeding?

A member asked:

Are many people with ra taken off leflunomide?

A member asked:

Is arava (leflunomide) cheaper then methotrexate?

A member asked:

Could leflunomide cause bleeding to the back passage?

A member asked:

I have ra and am on prednsion and arava, (leflunomide) what do you think about being on both?

A member asked:

Is there anyone on leflunomide for inflammatory arthritis?

A member asked:

What are the chances of arava (leflunomide) harming a baby while pregnant?

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