Arava 20mg

Manufacturer

Sanofi Aventis

Contents

Leflunomide

Indication

ARAVA is indicated in adults for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

• to reduce signs and symptoms
• to inhibit structural damage as evidenced by X-ray erosions and joint space narrowing
• to improve physical function

Instruction

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):

For rheumatoid arthritis:

• Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) once a day for three days, then 20 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
• Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. 

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Drug interaction

Cholestyramine decreases absorption of Arava, Rifampin on the contrary increases blood levels of Arava. Inform your doctor if you take drugs which weak immune system such as sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral), basiliximab (Simulect), muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone), efalizumab (Raptiva), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), leflunomide (Arava), azathioprine (Imuran), etanercept (Enbrel). For your doctor it is also important to know if you are treated by acetaminophen (Tylenol), auranofin (Ridaura) or aurothioglucose (Solganol), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), dapsone or erythromycin, itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral), atorvastatin (Lipitor), niacin (Advicor), simvastatin (Zocor), HIV/AIDS medications, NSAIDs, seizure medications.