Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Composition of Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Lefupro 20 mg Tablet contains Leflunomide 20 mg. It belongs to the Pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor (DMARD; dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor) class of medicines.

Uses of Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis; may also be used in psoriatic arthritis as prescribed.

Key benefits

• Reduces joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis
• Slows progression of joint damage
• Improves physical function and mobility
• Helps control inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (when prescribed)

How Lefupro 20 mg Tablet works

Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Its active metabolite inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, reducing pyrimidine synthesis and thereby suppressing proliferation and activity of activated T-lymphocytes, which decreases joint inflammation and damage.

How to take Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Tablet for oral use. Take exactly as prescribed, usually once daily, with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Do not stop abruptly without medical advice; regular blood tests are required during treatment.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can seriously suppress the bone marrow and damage the liver. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Most side effects of Lefupro are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Diarrhoea
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• headache
• dizziness
• rash
• hair thinning/alopecia
• elevated liver enzymes
• hypertension
• respiratory infections

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Not recommended in pregnancy; causes severe birth defects—effective contraception is required during treatment and until drug is eliminated (may require cholestyramine/activated charcoal washout). Avoid breastfeeding. Risk of serious liver injury—do not use in severe hepatic impairment; avoid alcohol; monitor LFTs. Can cause bone marrow suppression/infections—monitor CBC; avoid live vaccines. Use caution in hypertension and lung disease (rare interstitial lung disease). Discuss washout before planned pregnancy (women and men) or before switching to another hepatotoxic/immunosuppressive drug.

Do not take Lefupro if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with an active serious infection, or with severe liver or bone-marrow disease. Several of these medicines must not be used in pregnancy.

Interactions with other medicines

Methotrexate and other hepatotoxic drugs (increased liver toxicity), warfarin (may alter INR), rifampicin (may increase active metabolite levels), cholestyramine/activated charcoal (markedly decreases levels; used for washout), live vaccines (reduced response/infection risk), other immunosuppressants (additive infection risk)

How to store Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Store below 25°C in a dry place, protected from moisture and light. Keep in original pack and out of reach of children.

Expert advice for Lefupro 20 mg Tablet

Keep every monitoring blood test appointment. Carry a note of the medicine and its schedule, especially for weekly dosing.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

BRINTON PHARMACEUTICALS

Therapeutic class:

Anti-rheumatic (DMARD)

Drug class:

Pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor (DMARD; dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor)