ARAVA - Leflunomide

Arava Used For

Arava is prescribed in adults for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to reduce signs and symptoms, to inhibit structural damage as evidenced by X-ray erosions and joint space narrowing & to improve physical function in patients. Leflunomide is an anti-rheumatic agent manufactured by Aventis Pharma.

Directions for Arava

Arava has a long half-life in patients with RA. Hence it is advisable that patients be started with a loading dose and a dosing interval of 24 hours. This will help achieve steady-state concentrations more rapidly. The recommended starting/loading dose for Arava therapy is one 100 mg tablet per day for 3 days. Thereafter, patients can be put on a maintenance dosing of 20 mg daily, dependent on the patient's response to and tolerance of the loading dose.

How Arava works

Pregnant women should avoid taking Arava since its active ingredient might cause birth defects in the unborn fetus. Women patients who are on Arava and suspect that they might be pregnant should consult a physician immediately and stop taking the medication. Hair loss is an unwanted side effect of some arthritis drugs, such as methotrexate and Arava. The medication may also cause rare, serious skin reactions in certain patients. It is important to inform a physician promptly if any skin rash or mucous membrane lesions were to develop. It is also advisable to frequently monitor hematology since Arava might lead to lowering of the blood counts, particularly in patients who are receiving other immunosuppressive therapy concurrently with Arava. Arava might also badly affect those with interstitial lung disease and patients should contact a physician as soon as possible if symptoms appear or worsen during therapy.

Side effects of Arava

Like all medications, Arava also has its side effects which include bloody or cloudy urine, burning or painful urination, congestion in chest, difficult or painful breathing, dizziness, fever, frequent urge to urinate, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, sneezing, sore throat, yellow eyes and/or skin, burning feeling in chest or stomach, prickling or tingling sensation in fingers and/or toes, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, indigestion, joint or muscle pain or stiffness, unusual tiredness or weakness. In rare cases, patients also experienced back pain, hair loss, heartburn, skin rash, stomach pain & unexplained weight loss. It is advisable to consult a doctor immediately if any of the above side effects become aggravated or persist over an extended period.

Other Arava Information

It should be ensured that women patients are not pregnant before starting them on Arava treatment. Please avoid pregnancy during treatment with Arava and also after completing Arava treatment till such time as the drug elimination procedure is not completed.