Leflunomide. Me

What should I tell my health care provider before taking leflunomide?

Always be honest with your doctor and inform him about any of the following conditions, both, current or those you have had in the past, if you are going to receive leflunomide treatment:

- Problems with drugs or alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the possible effect of leflunomide on your liver. You should not drink alcohol while taking leflunomide.
- Liver diseases
- Cancer (especially if you received radiation therapy)
- Pregnancy or intention to get pregnant or father a child in the near future. Leflunomide should not be taken while you are pregnant, it can harm your child. For this reason pregnancy should be excluded before you start treatment with this medication. Sometimes special treatment is applied to remove leflunomide from your body if you are planning a child soon. A reliable contraception method should be used while taking leflunomide and 2 years after that. However, rapid removal of leflunomide from your body is possible is you are planning a child soon or can’t wait for 2 years.
- Breast-feeding
- Breathing problems or lung diseases
- Kidney problems
- Severe infections
- Allergic or abnormal reaction to leflunomide or any other drugs, food or other substances
- Catching cold, running nose or fever. Additionally, you should inform your doctor immediately if you catch cold while taking leflunomide because this medication may increase the risk of getting infected.
- immune problems or deficiency, due to various causes (natural, due to HIV infection, cancer chemotherapy, AIDS, radiation, or steroid therapy)
- High blood pressure
- Conditions or diseases affecting the bone marrow
- Extremely low levels of protein in your blood
- Blood disorders (e.g. anemia)
- What drugs and vitamins you are taking (both prescription and nonprescription). For this purpose it is wise and convenient to make a written list of all the medicines, minerals, herbal products, vitamins or dietary supplements.
- If you are planning to receive any vaccinations while taking leflunomide.

Also, take regular blood tests while taking leflunomide.