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Arava
Information
Arava and Liver Damage
Arava (Leflunomide) is a prescription drug used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis. Arava is used for people with active
rheumatoid arthritis, where aggressive treatment is needed.
It is used to reduce signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
and to slow down damage to joints.
Arava was approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis by the
Food and Drug Administration in September 1998. When the FDA
approved Arava, the agency noted that Arava worked no better
than methotrexate (the older drug used to treat rheumatoid
arthritis), but said patients needed some different options.
It is estimated that over 1.5 million prescriptions were written
in the United States alone since Arava was introduced.
Arava stops the development of immune cells that cause joint
pain, inflammation, stiffness, and swelling. It decreases
inflammation and may reduce the likelihood of joint damage.
Arava is not approved for persons under the age of 18 years.
It is available in 10 milligram (mg), 20 mg and 100 mg sized
tablets. Arava is made by Hoechst Marion Roussel (now Aventis
Pharmaceuticals).
Arava and Liver Damage
In Arava's first three years on the market, Arava was associated
with at least 130 cases of severe liver damage, including
56 hospitalizations and 12 deaths, according to FDA data.
There are also reports of lymphoma and drug-induced hypertension
in people treated with Arava as well as serious skin, blood
and gastrointestinal reactions.
Arava and Liver Damage
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