Arava

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile arthritis
Treatment
1 FDA approval
20 Active Studies for Arava

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
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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
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
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

Warnings

Arava Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hepatic Impairment
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Arava.
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.
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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
54 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1
Juvenile arthritis
11 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 3

Arava Reviews: What are patients saying about Arava?

5Patient Review
2/4/2015
Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis
5Patient Review
8/6/2015
Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis
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
Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis
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
Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis
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
Arava for Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.
View All Reviews
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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

Clinical Trials for Arava

Have you considered Arava clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arava, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Arava clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arava, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Arava clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arava, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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