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Leflunomide (Arava) is a drug used approved to treat adult moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It belongs to a class of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This class of medicines can decrease joint damage and disability caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Leflunomide blocks the formation of deoxyribonucleic acid (also known as DNA), which is important for developing cells, such as those in the immune system. It suppresses your immune system to reduce inflammation that causes pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is not completely clear how this medication works in rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: American College of Rheumatology
