Is Arava safer than methotrexate?
Yet Arava had six times more reports of fatal liver damage and 13 times more reports of high blood pressure. There also were 12 reports of a life-threatening autoimmune disease with Arava, but none with methotrexate.
How long does it take Arava to work?
It can take four to six months to feel the full effect of the drug. In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the immune system attacks parts of your body by mistake. Leflunomide can dampen down the activity of the immune system.
When is the best time to take Arava?
When to take Arava Arava should be taken at about the same time each day. Taking your tablets at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take the tablets. It does not matter if you take Arava before or after food.
Does Arava reduce inflammation?
Leflunomide is an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It works by suppressing the blood cells that cause inflammation. The brand name for this medicine is Arava®.
Does Arava cause weight gain?
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with leflunomide (Arava) experienced modest but significant weight loss not seen with other RA therapies, a large Veterans Administration study found.
Can Arava cause hair loss?
DMARDs and Hair Loss Other DMARDs, such as leflunomide (Arava), can also cause hair loss through a similar mechanism as methotrexate. Some of the patients we heard from named this drug as responsible for their hair loss problems.
What medications cause arthritis?
There are many medications out there, from antibiotics to protein pump inhibitors, that may cause joint pain. Taking one or more of these drugs can aggravate the symptoms of arthritic conditions, and can even bring about arthritis — in this case joint pain usually subsides when the medication ceases.
Does Arava cause sore throat?
Low blood cell counts have happened with Arava (leflunomide). If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or if you feel very tired or weak.
Does Arava cause rash?
Common side effects of Arava include: diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, headache, dizziness, back pain, numbness or tingling, runny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms, or itching or skin rash. In rare cases, Arava may cause serious or fatal liver disease.
Do antihistamines help rheumatoid arthritis?
NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.