Rheumide 10 mg (Leflunomide)

Adult dose

Administer a loading dose of 100mg once daily for 3 days. For maintenance treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, administer 20mg once daily. When administered at 25mg once daily, some patients experienced adverse reactions such as hair loss, weight loss, and elevated liver enzyme levels. Therefore, the maintenance dose should not exceed 20mg once daily; if the patient has poor clinical tolerability, the maintenance dose may be reduced to 10mg once daily. For maintenance treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis, administer 20mg once daily.

Since this medication can remain in the body for a long time, side effects may continue to appear even after discontinuation. In cases of serious side effects or when rapid elimination of the drug is necessary, the drug must be quickly expelled from the body using a specific antidote. This drug is primarily metabolized and excreted by the liver; therefore, caution should be exercised in patients with impaired liver function, and it should not be administered to patients with severe liver damage. Regular liver function tests should be conducted prior to and during the initial stages of administration, closely monitoring liver conditions. Additionally, this drug can suppress immune function; thus, it is not recommended for patients with serious infections or weakened immunity. If symptoms of infection develop while taking the drug, immediate consultation with a healthcare provider is necessary. Severe allergic reactions or skin ulcers, impaired wound healing may occur, so if such symptoms arise, discontinuation of the medication and consultation with a physician is essential. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not take this medication, and if pregnancy is confirmed during treatment, immediate consultation with a doctor should be sought. Moreover, this medication has not been proven to be safe for children; hence, it is advisable to avoid use in individuals under 18 years. Older adults can use this medication without special dosage adjustments; however, careful monitoring of liver and kidney function is necessary. This drug may increase the risk of side effects when used with other hepatotoxic medications or immunosuppressants, so all medications being taken must be disclosed to healthcare providers. In cases of overdose, symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood abnormalities, and liver function abnormalities may appear, necessitating prompt treatment and drug elimination. The drug should be stored away from direct sunlight in a cool place, and regular blood tests and liver function tests should be conducted to continuously monitor health status during treatment.

• Diarrhea
• elevated liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST)
• hair loss
• rash
• weakness
• flu-like syndrome
• upper respiratory infection
• injury accidents
• pain
• abdominal pain

This medication is sensitive to light, so it should be stored in a container that prevents light from entering. Additionally, it is important to store it at a cool temperature below 25 degrees Celsius to maintain its effectiveness.

Appearance

White round film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle