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What is Arava
LeflunomideThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLeflunomide is a drug that belongs to a class called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). It was approved by the FDA and other countries in 1999 and is used to inhibit the production of pyrimidine, a type of nucleic acid.
Aravais the brand name
Arava Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Arava
Leflunomide
1998
55
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Leflunomide, also called Arava, is approved by the FDA for 1 uses including Rheumatoid Arthritis .Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps manage Rheumatoid Arthritis
Effectiveness
How Arava Affects PatientsLeflunomide is a medicine used to treat adults with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that involves too much activity from T cells. T cells need pyrimidines to work, and they get this from two pathways: the salvage pathways and the de novo synthesis. The de novo pathway is the one the T cells use when they are working extra hard. Leflunomide works by blocking dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, which prevents T cells from getting the pyrimidines they need, thus reducing their activity.
How Arava works in the bodyLeflunomide works by blocking the growth of autoimmune lymphocytes. It does this by interfering with the cell cycle process, which is how cells reproduce. Specifically, it stops an enzyme called dihydroorotate dehydrogenase from creating molecules needed for DNA and RNA synthesis. Without these molecules, the cells cannot reproduce. Additionally, leflunomide also blocks tyrosine kinases, which are enzymes involved in DNA repair and cell proliferation. By blocking these enzymes, it helps to prevent the repair of tumor cells.
When to interrupt dosage
The advised dosage of Arava is contingent upon the identified condition. The amount of dosage fluctuates, depending on the technique of administration specified in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Juvenile arthritis
, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 15.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Rheumatoid Arthritis
, 10.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 15.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Warnings
Arava ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hepatic Impairment
Do Not Combine
Common Arava Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Leflunomide.
Cabozantinib
Major
The metabolism of Cabozantinib can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Cyclosporine
Major
Leflunomide may increase the immunosuppressive activities of Cyclosporine.
Dacomitinib
Major
The metabolism of Dacomitinib can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Dicoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Dicoumarol can be decreased when combined with Leflunomide.
Arava Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lethal dose of this drug is between 100-250mg/kg when taken orally.
Arava Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Arava?
At present, 86 active clinical trials are examining the potential of Arava to provide relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
61 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Juvenile arthritis
14 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Not Applicable
Arava Reviews: What are patients saying about Arava?
5Patient Review
2/4/20155Patient Review
8/6/2015 Arava did help me with the inflammation in my veins, but only for a short while. It also seems to be causing hair loss, which is a pretty big downside.
5Patient Review
4/21/2016 I've been taking this for ten years and it's really helped me. I increased the dosage to 40mg on weekends to help with my temporal arteritis symptoms, and that's been working well for eight months now.
4.3Patient Review
7/28/2017 There are no negative side effects that I have experienced from this medication, and I've been taking it for years.
4.3Patient Review
5/15/2019 I was on Arava for around six to seven weeks and noticed a drastic reduction in pain. However, within the last week my blood pressure and pulse rate increased significantly. I stopped taking the medication but would love to know if this is a common side effect and how long it takes for blood pressure to normalize.
3.7Patient Review
10/30/20143.3Patient Review
10/10/2016 I experienced severe stomach pain and bloating after taking this medication.
3.3Patient Review
10/13/2015 I had to stop taking Arava, Meloxicam, and Plaquenil. I'm not sure which one was causing the side effects, but I haven't been able to keep food down for days and my liver count has gone up tremendously.
3.3Patient Review
7/28/2017 I take this every morning, and unfortunately it leaves me feeling nauseous for at least half the day. However, I don't have any other options until after my next surgery.
3Patient Review
3/22/2015 I took Arava for a few years and it was pretty effective, except my potassium levels would go up and down, which then led to issues with blood pressure and mood swings. I'm done with medication now and will just try natural methods like cherry juice or staying active.
3Patient Review
2/16/2016 I started Arava 4 months ago to help with my Mothotrexate treatment. However, I've lost almost 10lbs and am always tired. I don't think it's because I'm eating less, and the constant diarrhea isn't helping either. It's also very expensive, so I'll be telling my doctor that I want to stop taking it.
2.3Patient Review
5/13/2015 Arava completely removed the pain and stiffness I was experiencing. However, my blood pressure is now higher than it was before.
1.7Patient Review
10/19/2017 This is the second medication I've tried and it unfortunately didn't work either.
1Patient Review
3/21/2017 Prolonged and significant hair loss.
1Patient Review
11/28/2018 I have sjogrens and ra. The med given me the worst smelling gas and feces ever. My stomach is in constant pain or diahrea or nausea. Even w prednisone 5-10 mg never hungry making taking meds worse. Also on plaquinel for sjogrens. Not helping w pain only 5 weeks in but ready to throw in the towel
1Patient Review
8/28/2016 I've been taking Arava for five years now, and it's helped a lot. I was originally on 10mg daily, then increased to 20mg when that didn't seem to be working well enough. Recently, I had to reduce my dosage to 3 days a week because it started affecting my white blood cell count.
Patient Q&A Section about arava
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Which is safer methotrexate or leflunomide?
"Patients who took leflunomide were more likely than those who took methotrexate to discontinue treatment, but not because of adverse events.There was no significant difference between the leflunomide and methotrexate groups in the likelihood of elevated hepatic transaminase levels or weight loss."
Answered by AI
What is the drug Arava used for?
"Leflunomide belongs to another class of drugs called pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors.
Leflunomide (Arava) is a drug that is approved to treat adult moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis as well as other rheumatic diseases. It is in a class of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which goal is to decrease inflammation and permanent damage. Leflunomide belongs to another class of drugs that are called pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of Arava?
"The side effects of the drug include, but are not limited to, back pain, dizziness, headache, itching, pain in the abdomen, problems with digestion, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, indigestion, skin rash, and swelling of the lining inside your nose, which can cause cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and sneezing."
Answered by AI
Does Arava cause weight gain?
"A 2016 study showed that people taking leflunomide (Arava), a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, were more likely to experience weight loss. This may be because the drug can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and an upset stomach."
Answered by AI