Arava

Approved Uses; Arava has received FDA approval for treating adults with moderate to severe arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Comparative Effectiveness Compared to Drugs; When compared to other disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) Arava has shown comparable and in some cases superior effectiveness. It has been particularly effective in reducing swelling and alleviating pain. Limitations, on Usage; However it is important to note that Arava should not be administered in cases of liver dysfunction, leukopenia or when certain other contraindications are present.

• Arava is a brand-name medication that contains the drug leflunomide, which is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) ¹. It is approved by the FDA to treat active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults ²³. Active means that the condition is causing symptoms.
• Arava works by reducing the activity of the immune system, which is overactive in RA and PsA and causes inflammation and damage to the joints ¹⁴. By lowering inflammation, Arava can help relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can also prevent further joint damage and improve physical function ²³.
• Arava has been compared with other DMARDs such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine in clinical trials. The results showed that Arava was as effective or more effective than these drugs in improving RA and PsA outcomes ⁵⁶⁷. Arava was also well tolerated by most patients and had a similar safety profile to other DMARDs ⁵⁶⁷.
• However, Arava is not suitable for everyone and has some limitations on its use. Arava can cause serious or fatal liver damage, so it should not be used by people with severe liver disease or abnormal liver function tests ²³. Arava can also lower the blood cell counts, which can increase the risk of infections or bleeding. Therefore, it should not be used by people with leukopenia (low white blood cell count), anemia (low red blood cell count), or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) ²³. Arava can also interact with some other medications, such as warfarin, rifampin, cholestyramine, and teriflunomide. These interactions can affect the levels of Arava or the other drugs in the body and cause unwanted effects ²³. Therefore, people who use Arava should tell their doctor about all the medications they are taking and follow their doctor’s instructions carefully.

References:

¹: Leflunomide — Arthritis Australia ²: Arava: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More - Healthline ³: Arava: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com ⁴: Arava - European Medicines Agency ⁵:

There are some suggestions from studies that Arava may be effective in treating conditions, like lupus although its important to note that these uses are not approved by the FDA. However it’s crucial to acknowledge that more research and clinical trials are needed to understand and validate these off label uses.

• Arava is a brand name for leflunomide, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that is approved by the FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults ¹². Arava works by reducing the activity of the immune system, which is overactive in these conditions and causes inflammation and damage to the joints ³⁴.
• Arava is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and tissues in the body ⁵⁶. Lupus is characterized by periods of flares and remissions, and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, kidney problems, and blood disorders ⁷. Arava is believed to work by preventing the production of DNA in cells, including immune cells that contribute to inflammation ⁵.
• However, the use of Arava for lupus is not approved by the FDA, and there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness and safety for this condition. Some studies have suggested that Arava may help with the arthritis caused by lupus, as well as reduce disease activity and organ damage ⁸ . However, these studies have been small, short-term, or observational, and have not compared Arava with other treatments for lupus. Therefore, more research and clinical trials are needed to understand and validate the potential benefits and risks of Arava for lupus.
• Arava has some serious side effects and contraindications that should be considered before using it. Arava can cause liver damage, blood disorders, infections, skin reactions, and birth defects. It should not be used by people with severe liver disease, abnormal liver function tests, low blood cell counts, or pregnancy. It can also interact with some other medications, such as warfarin, rifampin, cholestyramine, and teriflunomide. People who use Arava should follow their doctor’s instructions carefully and monitor their health regularly ¹².

References:

¹: Arava: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More - Healthline ²: Arava: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com ³: Leflunomide — Arthritis Australia ⁴: Arava - European Medicines Agency ⁵: Arava (Leflunomide) for Lupus | MyLupusTeam ⁶: Treating Lupus with Immunosuppressive Medications :