Arava

Lately, doctors here in the States have started prescribing Arava (leflunomide) more frequently for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. I’ve been doing some reading on it, and honestly, I’m feeling pretty uneasy. From what I can gather, the list of potential side effects is quite extensive—we're talking things like hair loss, vision issues, and even liver concerns. 😕
Has anyone here actually used this medication? I would truly appreciate hearing about your personal experiences before I move forward.

I wouldn't say I'm an expert—not that anyone here really is—but back in the early 2000s, people were already talking about taking Arava OFF The market 👎

The real issue with Arava is that long half-life—we're talking about two weeks—which causes those liver enzyme levels to spike. Anyone on this stuff needs to be fully aware of the potential for liver damage. There have been plenty of cases linked to it, even some fatalities. I'm not sure what the absolute latest updates are, but generally, if you're using it, you need frequent liver function tests. Obviously, you shouldn't give it to anyone with existing liver issues, former alcoholics, or people with hepatitis, etc.

"Arava (leflunomide) for rheumatoid arthritis is associated with serious lung disease...and can cause liver injury in 1 of 200 people. Tell patients to report any new cough...and to get their liver tests." That was from January 2005.

If you want more details, just ask and I'll dig into it 😉

Thanks!🙂
I’ve been doing some reading on most of the points you mentioned, and honestly, it seems wild to me that doctors would even suggest this medication given the sheer list of potential side effects. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually used Arava—specifically, did you notice any lasting benefits?
How are you even supposed to decide whether to pull the trigger on this or not? My mother is currently facing this exact dilemma, and she’s genuinely torn about whether the risks are worth the reward. It feels like the medical establishment's standard approach is just to nod, take the prescription, and not ask too many questions.

Honestly, let’s not even start on our doctors here. 🙂 Shout out to the good ones—the patient ones who actually stay up to date with new treatments.

Anyway, if you want, I can ask my sister what their first line of defense is for this condition. I've just been studying the meds so far, but I don't hit pharmacology until next year—so I'm probably not exactly an expert yet. 😁 She’s a resident over at the Mayo Clinic, so you aren't going to get bad info from her—not that she’s even seen your mom or anything. Just give it a few days for the communication between the US and wherever you are to settle in. She usually gets back to me eventually; she's just slammed with work. 🙂

Please, go ahead and ask; a second opinion is always a valuable thing to have! 🙂 And when it arrives, it arrives.

So, Dr. Miller (he's with Mayo, so he gets me info fast 🙂) says Arava works—but he’s had a handful of patients on it, and half of them had to drop it because their liver enzymes spiked.

He thinks Humira might be the best move, though the price tag is insane. Methotrexate works too, but you're looking at long-term side effects and constant monitoring.

Yeah, let's be real—any drug targeting this condition is going to have side effects. But if you're getting your liver enzymes checked every three months, it should be fine...

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely look into the details regarding Humira, though I suspect there's really no substitute for trying it myself to see how my body responds. Fingers crossed for the best possible outcome!

I’ve been battling rheumatoid arthritis for 11 years now. It hit me when I was just 17, and since then, I’ve already had both knees and a hip replaced. I’m in a bit of a light remission right now, but my doctor is pushing me to start Enbrel injections. Honestly, I’m not thrilled about the idea, especially since a monthly dose runs me $2333, which adds up to about $65,000 over a five-year treatment plan. Plus, the side effects sound pretty intense, so even if money wasn't an issue, I’d still be a little terrified to go through it. I heard some rumors that Medicare might be running a pilot study with 30 selected patients for this type of treatment, but apparently, the government hasn't officially greenlit it yet. Does anyone know anything about that? On top of all this, I’m about to start a regimen involving Arava, so if anyone has experience with it, please let me know what to expect. Is it even worth it to start something new when I actually feel perfectly fine right now?