About Lefanor Tablet 20mg
A prescription tablet that helps manage joint pain and swelling in long term rheumatoid arthritis.
Lefanor Tablet 20mg Uses
- Treats active rheumatoid arthritis in adults
- Slows joint damage seen on X-rays over time
- Reduces morning stiffness and joint swelling
- Improves grip strength and daily joint function
- Used when first line arthritis drugs do not work well enough
Lefanor Tablet 20mg Benefits
- Lowers the number of painful, swollen joints over several weeks
- Helps patients stay active for home and work tasks
- Can be combined with methotrexate for harder to control cases
- Once daily dosing makes it easier to stay consistent
What Experts Say
Rheumatologists classify Leflunomide as a conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, or DMARD. It does not just mask pain, it works to slow the immune system's ongoing attack on joint tissue, which is why doctors treat it as different from ordinary painkillers.
Regular blood tests matter more with this medicine than with most arthritis drugs. Liver enzymes and complete blood counts need checking before starting treatment and again every few weeks during the first months, then periodically afterward to catch problems early before they become serious.
Full benefit usually takes four to six weeks to appear, and doctors often ask patients to continue even when early results feel slow. Because the drug stays active in the body for months after the last dose, a special elimination procedure is sometimes needed before pregnancy, surgery, or switching to another medicine.
Drug Class
- Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD), Pyrimidine Synthesis Inhibitor
Lefanor Tablet 20mg Uses in Urdu
- ریمیٹائیڈ آرتھرائٹس کے جوڑوں کے درد اور سوجن میں استعمال ہوتی ہے
- جوڑوں کو ایکسرے پر نظر آنے والے نقصان سے بچانے میں مدد دیتی ہے
- صبح کی جکڑن اور جوڑوں کی سوجن کم کرتی ہے
- روزمرہ کے کاموں کے لیے جوڑوں کی حرکت بہتر بناتی ہے
- عام آرتھرائٹس کی ادویات کارگر نہ ہونے پر تجویز کی جاتی ہے
Lefanor Tablet 20mg formula
How to use Lefanor Tablet 20mg?
- Take Lefanor exactly as your rheumatologist prescribes, usually once daily.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
- Get baseline liver function and complete blood count tests before starting.
- Repeat blood tests every 2 to 4 weeks during the first months of treatment.
- Use reliable contraception during treatment and for the period after stopping that your doctor advises.
Drug Interactions
- Methotrexate: Combined use raises the risk of liver toxicity and needs closer monitoring.
- Warfarin: Leflunomide can increase the blood thinning effect and bleeding risk.
- Live Vaccines: Should be avoided during treatment due to a weakened immune response.
- Rifampicin: Can raise Leflunomide levels in the blood, increasing side effect risk.
- Cholestyramine: Speeds up drug removal and can lower Leflunomide's effectiveness.
Risks and warnings
- Pregnancy Risk: Leflunomide can cause serious birth defects and must not be used during pregnancy.
- Liver Monitoring: Regular liver function tests are required since the drug can raise liver enzymes.
- Low Blood Counts: The drug can lower white blood cells, raising infection risk.
- Drug Elimination: Leflunomide stays in the body for months, so a washout procedure may be needed before pregnancy or surgery.
- Infection Caution: Avoid live vaccines and report fever or infection symptoms promptly to your doctor.
Lefanor Tablet 20mg Side Effects
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Headache
- Hair thinning
- Skin rash
- Raised liver enzymes
- High blood pressure
- Mild weight loss
Storage Conditions
- Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Keep the strip in its original blister pack until you take a dose.
- Keep out of reach of children and pregnant household members.
- Dispose of expired or unused tablets safely, not in household trash.
