Arava Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arava (leflunomide) is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) used in adults suffering with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Function

• WebMD states that Arava works to repair joint damage, inflammation and pain. This occurs by weakening the immune system. Because RA results from an immune system that becomes overactive and attacks your body, this suppression can lessen the effects of the illness.

Benefits

• Arava can actually improve structural damage caused by RA, as well as help physical function and ease the symptoms of the disease, according to Drugs.com.

Side Effects

• Common symptoms of Arava include nausea, dizziness and diarrhea. Less common, but more serious side effects include chest pain, frequent urination, hair loss, racing heartbeat, muscle cramping and pain, mood changes, visions problems, cough and numbness in hands or feet. Also Arava reduces a person's ability to fight infection, so if you experience fever, chills or sore throat, inform your doctor. Very rare but serious effects include swollen glands, unusual lumps or growths, easy bruising or bleeding, uncommon fatigue and weight loss. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these.

Contradictions

• Tell your doctor if you have a recent infection, immune system disorder, bone marrow or blood disease, cancer, history of alcohol abuse, liver problems (Arava may rarely cause serious or even fatal liver disease), kidney disease, heart disease or lung problems.

Warning

• According to WebMD, pregnant women, or women planning to become pregnant, should not use Arava, since it might cause serious harm or even death to a fetus. Females of childbearing age must be advised on the risk of birth defects, undergo a pregnancy test and take two forms of reliable birth control before starting the medication. Men wishing to father a child should stop using Arava as well.