For some patients, a dose of 10 mg daily is used. In the studies reported to date, the benefit obtained from leflunomide was comparable to methotrexate and sulfasalazine. Improvement was usually evident by 1 month and maximum improvement was obtained by 3 to 6 months. Also, persons may continue taking prednisone at the same time they take leflunomide. There also may be increased blood levels of tolbutamide if it is prescribed along with leflunomide.
Tolbutamide is a drug used to treat diabetes.
Leflunomide should not be taken by persons known to be allergic to it. Therefore, it should never be taken by someone who is or may become pregnant or is breast feeding an infant. Reliable contraception is essential if a person is capable of becoming pregnant. There is insufficient information to know whether males taking leflunomide pass on an increased risk for fetal damage or death to their unborn child. Therefore, males planning a family should take the same precautions as potential mothers.