What is Arava?
Arava serves an effective medication, the active component of which promotes a serious impact on the immune system. Leflunomide being the leading ingredient in the powerful formula of the treatment helps to decrease inflammation and swelling in the body. As a result, Arava is prescribed to treat the signs of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, the medication increases physical functioning and assists in reducing joint damage. Besides, your doctor may advise Arava in other cases, not listed in the safety guide.
To achieve the desired Arava effects and benefit from a safe course, the patient should start the therapy with doctor’s consultation. A properly selected dose, length of the therapy and other specifications is the key to successful rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Before you start Leflunomide intake, your doctor may require certain tests to ensure you are not affected by tuberculosis or similar infectious conditions.
Do not start Arava therapy if you are allergic to its active ingredients or similar medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are contraindicated for the drug intake. Additionally, provide your physician with details of your overall health condition, striving to contribute to 100% safe treatment course. Pay ultimate attention to such conditions, as tuberculosis or its history, uncontrolled or serious infection, kidney or liver diseases, nerve impairments and others.
Warn your doctor about all the other prescription and non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements and pharmaceutical products you are currently taking, as some of them may interact with Arava causing devastating complications. Besides, other treatments can simply block the positive action of the remedy, so a patient will keep using the drug without any improvements. Do not combine Leflunomide with antiviral medications, antifungals, antibiotics, HIV/AIDS remedies, mental illness treatments, anabolic steroids, hormone replacement therapy, arthritis, cholesterol-decreasing pills, NSAIDs, seizure drugs and others.
Despite Arava has a positive impact on the body and promotes desirable influences, its misuse or overuse can lead to aggravating side effects and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Seek immediate medical assistance if Arava intake has resulted in allergic reactions, especially hives, breathing disorders, swelling, etc.
Recommendations for Use
Administer Arava in accordance with the doctor’s prescription and safety instructions to benefit from its action. The optimal Arava dose is 100 mg used once a day for three days. You will need to check blood pressure often to track the positive changes taking place. Additionally, it will help to prevent possible blood clots and other complications. Keep in mind that arthritis is frequently treated with a combination of medications, but take only those that are adjusted by your healthcare specialist. Special Leflunomide eliminating procedure may be required once you stop administering the drug.
Precautions and Contraindications
Drug Interactions
Side Effects
In addition, such abnormalities as numbness, swollen glands, pale skin, dark urine, abnormal bleeding or bruising, nasty skin reactions, breathing impairments, etc., may appear after Leflunomide administration. Call your healthcare provider the moment you have noticed any complications after the remedy use. Among the most common reactions that are likely to disappear within a few Arava intakes are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach disorders, symptoms of cold or flu, rash and others.