Arava Medicine - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Arava is also known as leflunomide. Leflunomide is an anti–inflammatory agent used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It works by suppressing the blood cells that cause inflammation. It is also used to relieve some symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis, such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.

Arava Dosage

The dose of leflunomide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of leflunomide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Adults-At first, 100 mg once a day for three days, then 20 mg once a day. Your doctor may decrease the dose as needed.Children-Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Uses of Arava

This medicine works by stopping the body from producing too many of the immune cells that are responsible for the swelling and inflammation. Arava is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that may cause pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling.

It may also be used to treats other medical conditions those are listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Arava

Before taken Arava medicine, you should discuss the side effects with your doctor. If any develop or change in intensity, then you should inform your doctor as soon as possible. Leflunomide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* diarrhea
* hair loss
* headache
* dizziness
* upset stomach
* vomiting
* stomach pain

Warnings and precautions before taking Arava:

*If you are using Arava, then it may cause rare but serious skin reactions. So if you develop a skin rash or eruption, then you should stop taking Arava and contact your doctor immediately. Leflunomide may cause birth defects in humans if taken during pregnancy. Therefore, if you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and check with your doctor.
*If you have kidney problems, so you should be used this medicine with extra caution. Because poor kidney function can increase the amount of Arava in your system.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking Arava with certain other drugs, then the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Arava with the following:

*Cholestyramine
*Methotrexate
*Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
*Rifampin
*Tolbutamide

Overdose

There is no human experience with overdose. Leflunomide is not dialyzable. Cholestyramine and/or activated charcoal enhance elimination of leflunomide's active metabolite (M1). In cases of significant overdose or toxicity, cholestyramine 8 g every 8 hours for 1-3 days or activated charcoal 50 g every 6 hours for 24 hours may be administered to enhance elimination.

But some common symptoms of a Arava overdose are :-

*Abdominal pain
*Anemia
*Blood disorders
*Diarrhea
*Liver problems

Alien writes for prescription drugs. He also writes for cymbalta and stress symptoms .

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

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