Dangers of Arava ?

Arava is prescribed for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis in adults to reduce signs and symptoms and to slow down damage to joints.

There are some people that should not take Arava? You must not take Arava if you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing age not using reliable contraception.

Warnings for People taking Arava:

For Women:

• You must not take Arava if you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing age not using reliable contraception, because in animal studies Arava has been shown to cause birth defects to the fetus.
• You must avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Arava. If you suspect or find out that you are pregnant while taking Arava call you doctor right away.
• After stopping Arava treatment you must complete the drug elimination procedure before becoming pregnant because Arava stays in the body a long time.
• You should not breast-feed if you are taking Arava.

For Men:

• If there is any possibility your partner could become pregnant, you should stop Arava treatment and go through the drug elimination procedure prescribed by your doctor.

For All Patients:

Your doctor will conduct liver tests before you start taking Arava and will check your liver’s response to Arava every month at first.

General Precautions to take when on Arava:

If you have the following conditions or if you are being treated with medications that can be harmful to your liver Arava may not be right for you:

• Liver disease including hepatitis B or C
• Kidney problems
• Severe immune system disorders, bone marrow disorders or severe uncontrolled infection.

What side effects can you expect when taking Arava? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Arava. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

• Diarrhea
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Hair loss
• Rash

Why was Arava Recalled or why should it be recalled?

It has not been recalled as of yet. The FDA issued one strongly worded warning Oct 23 1998 and a second warning Feb 23 1999, citing exaggerations of efficacy and understating hazards, with respect to promotional material.

Worldwide, 10 people who have taken the drug have died due to interstitial pneumonia.

What Makes Arava a dangerous Drug ( side effects):

• Five patients who used Aventis Pharma’s Arava have died of pneumonia since the drug was launched in Japan. Eleven other users of the drug, generically known as leflunomide, have developed interstitial pneumonia.
• Liver damage.

Common Misspelling or other names: airava, erava, arev,a aravea, leflunomide, leflunamide