What about Arava? | Arthritis Information

 

Does anyone have any insight to this drug? I just heard about it and I was wondering how good it is.

I've never been on it; but often when patience don't respond well to MTX for whatever reason it's prescribed. I've heard of several people doing real well on it; but others couldn't tolerate it at all.

Are you thinking this is an option for you? What meds are you on now?

I was on it for about three months combined with Imuran.  Worked pretty well for me but it was dropped from my prescription formulary because my health insurance said methotrexate would do the same and cost less.  So I had to stop taking it because a month's dupply would have cost over 0!

If you have prescription coverage, check with your carrier to see coverage limitations before you get a script for it.

Hope this helps,

Joe

I'm on Arava right now. I just started it last Saturday. I can keep you posted as to how I'm doing. I take (generic) Arava (which is much cheaper than the brand name drug) along with MTX & Celebrex. I wouldn't say I'm just peachy, but I'm able to walk, get along. When I'm not in a flare, I can do most of the things I used to do.

I didn't even notice I'd taken it. I put it in my pill box by accident - so - no side effects. Nothing so far.


Fiona that's great, I really appreicate you keeping me posted. I called my Rheumy today and he's on vacation and his assitant just increased my pred to 20mg a day until he comes back. hi, i have been on arava for about 6 mo. i have had no problems with it.non of the side affects,that goes along with it.probley just luck.i have done good on it.i pretty much have my ta under control now.

I was taking generic arava until last month.  (I it took about a year) I lost some hair after about 6 months. My Rd decreased the dosage by half, and my hair grew back.  My RA wasn't controlled so I had to add Remicade, and was doing really well.  Then my liver enzymes went up so I was taken off the Arava.  It worked great but you really must watch your liver.

Be sure to get your blood tests done on time, and make sure you get the results.

I've been taking Arava for over two years with good results and no side
effects.

fusie I have to choose between this and MTX and while both have serious side effects MTX sounds worse.  Am I wrong?  Do they still do the Arava loading dose?I was taking Arava and felt much better after 4 weeks.  By 6 weeks, however, my gut hurt me so badly that I thought I was perforating my intestines!  I had to stop.  It worked wonders for the RA though.  I have a 10 week supply (worth 00 or so) just sitting in my cabinet.  What a waste!  I feel almost sorry for the insurance co.  I'm just taking Motrin when needed and Prednisone dose paks when things get bad.  If my xrays show erosion in Nov.  I'll have to try something else, maybe Plaquenil.  Anyhoo, Arava works great, if you can tolerate it-many can't!  GOOD LUCK!
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