Lemod Tablet 10 mg (Leflunomide)

Adult dosage

1. Loading dose Given the long half-life of this medicine and the recommended dosing interval of 24 hours, treatment is generally initiated with a loading dose to reach steady-state plasma concentrations more rapidly. The loading dose is 100mg once daily for 3 days. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, omitting the loading dose may reduce the risk of adverse reactions (see section ‘5. General Precautions 9)’). 2. Maintenance dose The maintenance dose for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 20mg daily. Some patients experienced adverse reactions such as hair loss, weight loss, and elevated liver enzyme levels when treated with 25mg daily. Therefore, the maintenance dose should not exceed 20mg daily and may be reduced to 10mg daily if the patient has poor clinical tolerability. The maintenance dose for patients with psoriatic arthritis is 20mg daily. Monitor liver enzyme levels; dose adjustment may be necessary. (See Warnings - Hepatotoxicity.) Because the half-life of the active metabolite of this medicine is prolonged, it may take several weeks for metabolite levels to decrease. Therefore, monitor patients carefully after reducing the dose.

This medication contains active metabolites that can remain in the body for a long time, so side effects may continue to appear even after discontinuation. If serious side effects occur or if rapid removal of the drug is necessary, specific antidotes should be used to expel the drug quickly from the body. It may affect liver function; therefore, patients with liver disease or impaired liver function should use this medication with particular caution and regular liver function tests are necessary. The risk of hepatotoxicity may increase when co-administered with other medications, so consultation with a doctor about the concomitant drugs is essential. It can affect the lungs, so it should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of lung disease or symptoms of pneumonia. It may suppress immune function, thus it is not recommended for patients with severe infections or immunocompromised states. Serious reactions on the skin may occur, so if symptoms such as rash or skin ulcers appear, discontinue use immediately and consult a physician. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not take this medication as it may pose a risk to the fetus, and if they become pregnant while taking it, they should consult a physician immediately. Nursing mothers are also advised not to take this medication, and safety in children has not been established, so it is not administered to those under 18 years of age. Regular blood tests and liver function tests should be conducted while taking the medication, and any abnormal symptoms should be reported to medical personnel immediately. In case of overdose, symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hematological abnormalities may occur, and antidote therapy may be required. This medication can interact with other drugs, so it is crucial to inform healthcare providers of any other medications being taken. When storing this medication, it should be kept out of direct sunlight and at a stable temperature.

Diarrhea

This medication is sensitive to light, so it should be stored away from direct sunlight. Additionally, it should be stored in a sealed container to prevent contact with air, and it is important to maintain the storage temperature below 25 degrees Celsius.

Appearance

White round film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle