Lefra 20 mg

This drug is often used in patients who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. A condition when the body’s immune system (defense system) fails to recognize the body as itself and attacks healthy tissues around the joints. The active ingredient of this medication is Leflunomide. Nevertheless, it also contains other inactive ingredients such as croscarmellose sodium, pregelatinized starch, talc, lactose monohydrate, and others. Lefra 20 mg belongs to the class of drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This medicine also helps to relieve the symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and others.

The manufacturer of Lefra 20 mg is Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited.

How to Use Lefra 20 mg?

One tablet daily is usually considered the recommended dose or as your physician directs. Administer the tablet whole by mouth with a glass full of water preferably on an empty stomach. Do not use alcoholic drinks to swallow the pill because your risk of adverse effects may increase. It is not recommended to crush, chew, or break the tablet while swallowing because you may notice a bitter taste in your mouth. To get a better effect from Lefra 20 mg, you should use it regularly at the same time each day. In case you notice stomach upset or nausea, you may administer this medication with milk or light food.

Do not use Lefra 20 mg more frequently than is allowed because your medical condition will not improve faster. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an increased dose for several weeks if you do not notice the desired result.

In case you prefer the liquid form of Leflunomide, measure carefully the dose with a special spoon or cup. Otherwise, you may get the wrong dose, which may also increase your risk of negative effects. If you do not notice any improvements in your health condition in the first 7 days of treatment, contact a doctor immediately.

Dosages

The dosages usually are different among patients. It depends on the severity of the medical condition, other drugs that you may be using, age, weight, and response to treatment. If you have doubts about what dosage is better for you, discuss it with your doctor. Moreover, you should not stop the treatment suddenly without the doctor’s approval because it may lead to a return of the symptoms. Hence, your condition may become difficult to treat.

• Lefra 20 mg

Missed Dose

It is not recommended to miss a dose because symptoms may return. Therefore, your condition may become worse or more difficult to treat. In any case, if you miss one, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose. Do not administer an increased dose of Leflunomide the next time to catch up because you may experience severe side effects.

Overdose

If you are using an increased dose of this medicine, you may experience an overdose. Symptoms of overdose include irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, passing out, irregular heartbeat, and others. In case you notice any of the symptoms listed above stop using this product and consult a doctor right away. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Adverse Effects of Lefra 20 mg

All drugs may give you certain adverse effects and Leflunomide is not an exception. However, any of the following adverse reactions may disappear if your body adjusts to this product. There are some factors that can provoke side effects such as dehydration, overdose, and allergy.

Common Adverse Effects

Most patients ignore mild side effects but it is recommended to tell your doctor if you experience any of them. Check some examples below:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Severe Adverse Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects, you should interrupt using this drug and ask for medical help immediately. However, this category of side effects may occur in rare cases. Additionally, your physician may help you to prevent or avoid side effects. Check below some examples:

• Increased liver enzymes
• Burning sensation
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Weight loss
• Dyspepsia
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite

Consult a doctor if you experience any of the adverse reactions listed above or any other effects because this article does not contain a full list of side effects.

Interactions

There are certain substances and medicines, which may interact with Leflunomide. It means that other drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Lefra 20 mg or even increase your risk of adverse effects. Before using this product, you should tell your doctor about all products that you are using. Examples include supplements, vitamins, herbal products, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and others. Check some examples below:

• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Fluticasone (nasal)
• Salmeterol
• Zolpidem
• Alprazolam
• Escitalopram
• Atorvastatin
• Polyethylene glycol 3350
• Acetaminophen
• Hydrocodone
• Albuterol
• Sertraline
• Ziprasidone
• Tadalafil
• Sildenafil Citrate
• Teriflunomide
• Sotalol
• Sirolimus
• Riociguat
• Rifampin
• Quinidine
• Papaverine
• Ritonavir
• Rifabutin
• Morphine
• Procainamide
• Methadone
• Leflunomide
• Ergotamine
• Erythromycin
• Efavirenz

Before taking this medication, you should talk to a doctor because this article does not contain all possible drug interactions. Additionally, if you are starting, stopping, or changing the dosages without the doctor’s approval, you may notice unwanted results.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to the ingredients of the drug or if you have any other allergies. Moreover, you should share your medical history with your physician before using this medicine. Examples include:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Surgery
• Liver disease (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and others)
• Heart disease (such as coronary arterial disease, heart failure, recent heart attack, and others)
• Kidney disease (such as kidney stones)

Leflunomide may make you sleepy or dizzy. Hence, you should limit or avoid alcoholic beverages and marijuana (cannabis) during treatment because these effects may increase. In addition, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while you are on treatment with Lefra 20 mg until you can do it safely.

Tips

• You may find some differences between this document and the doctor’s prescription. Therefore, to treat your condition fast and safely, you should follow the doctor’s recommendations only.
• Do not use Lefra 20 mg after the expiry date because it may increase your risk of severe adverse effects.
• It is not allowed to share this medicine with others, especially with children.