New medication

[JennyA123]

Hi has anyone tried ARAVA please need to know what to spect and side affects.

Thanks 😜

[RheumTrucker]

I've been on Arava for almost two years. No side effects except a little weight loss. It seems to help, along with a biologic.

[JennyA123 in reply to RheumTrucker]

Thanks so much for you're help, and about the weight loss I won't complain. 😂

[tselph]

I have a friend who was on lefludamide/Arava & she ended up in the hospital with some serious side affects. I was on it also for a while but it just didn't help me at all. It's a scary drug so watch for any lung changes. I didn't have the side affects but my friend sure did.

[JennyA123]

Thanks so much, I will keep an eye on all that. 😜

[Hidden]

I did years ago is it also known as leflonumide? Personally it did nothing for me. I was @ child bearing age @ the time & even though had no intention of wanting anymore children I would've had to be on birth control because the side affects would've almost certainly guaranteed a damaged fetus from the effects of the drug that was enough for me to say no & also was told you had to wait something like 3 years before you try to conceive to ensure no problems or they give you a charcoal treatment. This was in early 05. The latter part of the year I got put on Enbrel & been on

It ever since it continues to work for me , along with prednisone as needed, Plaquenil ( try to avoid) have to see an eye specialist just for being Rx it I don't take it but 2-3 a year when in agony because am so scared of cataracts (prednisone) & (macular degeneration) Plaquenil. I'm already sick I don't need more sickness limitations on top of it. I didn't care for Arava just too scary if a drug for me same thing with methotrexate. They're all very powerful drugs & longterm will have side affects Arava was one I was willing to bypass

[Marylcsw]

I broke out in a rash from Arava. It went away when it was stopped. Good luck!

[JennyA123]

Oh that's sad, I fill alittle itches but nothing bad, but I'm only taking 1/2 of the pill today I star with a whole one will see how I react to it.. thanks so much

[brazant]

Arava and Leflunomide is the same medication. Leflunomide is the generic. It caused diarrhea at first and then upset my stomach after my first meal of the day. I began to lose weight. My doctor put me back on this medication after Methotrexate did not work.

[JennyA123 in reply to brazant]

Hi I have the generic one, I don't have any side effects now I'm on my 3rd week and I hope that works for me, I had tried so many different meds... thanks for you're help!