Description

Arava 20mg: Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Safety

Arava 20mg contains the active ingredient leflunomide. It is a prescription medicine for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. It’s a type of medicine known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Arava works on the immune system to reduce inflammation and help slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis; it’s not a simple pain reliever.

Pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of movement in joints can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis. So, successful long-term therapy may help people to manage symptoms and to continue doing daily activities. Arava may be used in combination with other medicines or by itself, as your healthcare professional decides.

What is Arava 20 mg?

The maintenance-strength leflunomide tablet is Arava 20mg. The drug decreases the activity of some immune system processes involved in inflammation. Therefore, it may help to control the symptoms and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Maintenance dose. Doctors usually prescribe a maintenance dose of 20 mg once daily. For patients who cannot tolerate 20mg, the doctor may prescribe some patients a lower 10mg daily dose. Always follow the individual prescription, not a general online dosing schedule.

How Does Arava 20mg Work?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue around the joints. This can lead to chronic inflammation. Leflunomide blocks pyrimidine synthesis in rapidly dividing immune cells , reducing certain immune responses in rheumatoid arthritis . The medicine can thus help in reducing inflammatory activity over time.

Arava is a disease-modifying medicine, so patients should not expect it to work like an instant painkiller. Rather, it is a part of the longer-term management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arava 20mg Uses

The main approved indication for Arava 20mg is for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It may help manage symptoms such as joint swelling, tenderness, stiffness and reduced physical function.

Doctors may also check treatment on a regular basis to see how well the medicine is working and whether side effects are developing. Patients should continue to take the medicine as directed even if they feel better, unless their doctor tells them to stop.

How to take Arava 20 mg

Arava is an oral tablet and is usually taken once a day. Take the medicine at the same time each day if you can. Follow the instructions on your prescription. Do not take more than the prescribed dose or take an extra tablet after a missed dose unless instructed to do so by your healthcare professional.

The prescribing information mentions an optional loading dose regimen prior to maintenance treatment, but physicians may decide if this is appropriate depending on the patient’s risk factors. Do not start a loading dose without medical direction.

Side effects Common

Like any other prescription medicines, Arava can cause side effects. The commonly reported reactions include diarrhoea, nausea, headache, rash, respiratory infections, indigestion and increased liver enzymes.

But side effects are different for everyone. If symptoms are persistent, severe or unusual, consult a healthcare professional.

Important Safety Information

Araava 20mg requires regular medical supervision. Leflunomide can cause serious liver injury, so your doctor will check your liver function and may avoid this medicine in people with significant liver disease or elevated liver enzymes.

It can also reduce the body’s ability to fight infections and may affect blood cell counts. That’s the reason why doctors might order blood tests during the treatment. Patients need to tell us about symptoms like fever, a persistent cough, unusual bruising or other signs of infection.

Arava can also raise your blood pressure, so you may need to have it checked regularly. Serious skin reactions and some lung problems have also been reported and require immediate medical attention.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Arava 20mg is a particularly important safety concern in pregnancy. Leflunomide may cause serious birth defects and should not be used in pregnancy. Pregnancy testing and contraception, as advised by a doctor, should be provided to those who can become pregnant. The medicine may remain in the body for a long time. Therefore, health care professionals may recommend an accelerated elimination procedure when treatment is discontinued, especially if pregnancy is planned or occurs.

Leflunomide is also not recommended while breastfeeding. Before starting or stopping treatment, talk to your doctor about pregnancy planning or breastfeeding.

Interactions With Other Drugs

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal products before you start using Arava 20mg. Some medicines can increase the risk of side effects or need extra monitoring.

Do not begin, end, or alter any other medication without professional guidance. Your healthcare provider can review your entire list of medications to see if Arava is a good choice for you.

Conclusion

Arava 20mg is a DMARD with leflunomide indication for adult patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. It works differently from ordinary pain medicines by attacking the immune activity involved in the disease. Leflunomide, however, can cause serious liver, blood, infection, pregnancy, and other complications and therefore requires medical supervision and regular monitoring.