INFO - On Arava (leflunomide) drug elimination procedure

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Excerpt from Drugs.com:

Need for Drug Elimination

The active metabolite of leflunomide is eliminated slowly from the plasma.

In instances of any serious toxicity from ARAVA, including hypersensitivity,

use of a drug elimination procedure as described in this section is highly

recommended to reduce the drug concentration more rapidly after stopping

ARAVA therapy. If hypersensitivity is the suspected clinical mechanism, more

prolonged cholestyramine or charcoal administration may be necessary to

achieve rapid and sufficient clearance. The duration may be modified based

on the clinical status of the patient.

Cholestyramine given orally at a dose of 8 g three times a day for 24 hours

to three healthy volunteers decreased plasma levels of M1 by approximately

40% in 24 hours and by 49 to 65% in 48 hours.

Administration of activated charcoal (powder made into a suspension) orally

or via nasogastric tube (50 g every 6 hours for 24 hours) has been shown to

reduce plasma concentrations of the active metabolite, M1, by 37% in 24

hours and by 48% in 48 hours.

These drug elimination procedures may be repeated if clinically necessary.

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/leflunomide.html#C05S05.5

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Excerpt from Health Drug Guide

Leflunomide (oral) Overview:

Leflunomide is in the FDA pregnancy category X. There is an increased risk

of birth defects and death of the unborn baby while taking leflunomide. Do

not take this medication if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during

treatment. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you have become

pregnant during treatment. Birth control must be used during treatment with

leflunomide. Discuss with your doctor the procedure for removing leflunomide

from the body following treatment before becoming pregnant. Without the

proper drug elimination procedure, it may take up to two years before

leflunomide is at sufficiently low levels in the body so as to reduce the

risk of harm to an unborn baby. It is not known whether leflunomide imposes

an increased risk of fetal harm when taken by a man. Men wishing to father a

child while taking leflunomide should discuss their options with their

doctor.

http://health./drug/d04349a1

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Mayo Clinic in Rochester

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s Hopkins Medicine

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