Arava/Leflunomide IS USED FOR:

Reducing signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to improve physical function and to prevent the development of structural damage to the joints.

Arava/Leflunomide is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor. It is thought to work by blocking certain enzymes responsible for abnormal tissue development or growth.

DO NOT USE Arava/Leflunomide IF:

• you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Arava/Leflunomide

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Arava/Leflunomide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; bronchitis; diarrhea; dizziness; dry skin; hair loss; headache; increased cough; indigestion; joint disorder; loss of appetite; muscle aches; nausea; runny nose; sinus infection; upper respiratory tract infection; urinary tract infection; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blistering or peeling skin; blisters on the inside of eyes, nose, or mouth; chest pain; dark urine; easy bruising/bleeding; feelings of numbness or tingling; fever; infection; muscle cramps, including leg cramps; pale skin; pale stools; sore throat; stomach pain; unusual tiredness; vomiting; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Arcoxia Arcoxia/Etoricoxib

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• LAB TESTS, including liver function, may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Avoid receiving vaccines while taking Arava/Leflunomide.
• Arava/Leflunomide is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• Drinking alcohol while you are taking Arava/Leflunomide may increase the risk of liver problems. Talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking Arava/Leflunomide.
• Arava/Leflunomide may cause birth defects in children of men taking Arava/Leflunomide at the time of conception. Discuss the use of reliable birth control methods (eg, condoms) with your doctor or pharmacist while taking Arava/Leflunomide. Talk with your health care provider about stopping Arava/Leflunomide if you and your female partner are planning for parenthood.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a skin rash, small blisters over a large portion of the body, or lesions around the eyes, mouth, or throat.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Arava/Leflunomide may cause harm to the fetus. Arava/Leflunomide must not be used during pregnancy, or by women who are able to become pregnant unless they are using reliable forms of birth control. A negative pregnancy test must be obtained before the start of treatment with Arava/Leflunomide. Contact your health care provider at once if your menstrual flow is delayed or if you suspect that you are pregnant. After completing therapy, women of childbearing potential who plan to become pregnant must undergo a procedure to flush any remaining medicine out of the body system. It is unknown if Arava/Leflunomide is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Arava/Leflunomide.

BEFORE USING Arava/Leflunomide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Arava/Leflunomide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have hepatitis B or C or other liver problems, kidney problems, or drink alcoholic beverages
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you have a weakened immune system, blood or bone marrow disorders, an infection, or have recently received a vaccination

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Arava/Leflunomide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, Coumadin/warfarin) because side effects, including risk of bleeding, may be increased by Arava/Leflunomide
• Rheumatrex/Methotrexate or rifampin because side effects, including liver toxicity, headache, and muscle pains, may occur
• Cholestyramine because the effectiveness of Arava/Leflunomide may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Arava/Leflunomide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Arava/Leflunomide :

Use Arava/Leflunomide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• If you miss a dose of Arava/Leflunomide , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
• It may take 4 weeks or more to notice any improvement while taking Arava/Leflunomide.
• Arava/Leflunomide may be taken with or without food.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Arava/Leflunomide.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.