MedicinePOM

Leflunomide

Leflunomide is a disease-modifying tablet for active rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

Clinical information

Common uses

active rheumatoid arthritis

Common side effects

diarrhoea
respiratory infections
feeling sick
headache
rash

Cautions

must not be used in pregnancy — harms the unborn baby
severe liver injury reported — regular liver blood tests
lowers immunity — risk of serious infections
stays in the body long; a washout procedure may be needed

Interactions

teriflunomide (must not combine)
warfarin (blood thinner; monitoring needed)
rosuvastatin (limit to 10mg daily)
pioglitazone, repaglinide and similar CYP2C8 drugs (levels rise)
methotrexate (levels may rise)
oral contraceptives (levels may rise; review choice)

Pregnancy: must not be used — exclude pregnancy first

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, leflunomide tablets label, setid fc044417-cd9a-42f6-8a3d-a14e7c2f81a2 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Leflunomide	Tablet	10 mg	—	POM
Leflunomide	Tablet	20 mg	—	POM