User Reviews for Arava oral

Because of the pain and rash, I took my last lefunomide today after first 30 days. I could live with the rash (which was all over my body), but the severe lower back and trembling pelvic pain was too much to endure. So severe I was losing sleep. Then came stabing pain in neck and around shoulder blades with joint pain in the shin of my legs. Dr. gave me a muscle relaxer. Previously, I was on methotrexate and prednosone with celebrex. Became too toxic, with feet tingling, inflammation and tired with same type of shoulder/neck stabing feeling. I've had 3 injections of Humira and hopeful that this is the only drug I will need to take and hoping no side effects. Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed with RA in 12/08. I took only Methotrexate and had no relief, I only got worse. I have been taking Arava for 1 month and have noticed little relief. One thing I have noticed is I have headaches everyday along with a few other symptoms. Does anyone else get headaches?

I've only taken this medicine for 1 month, but have not gotten any pain relief. In fact, I have noticed a nodule on my finger since taking it.

I was on Methotrexate on and off for the last 12 years, combined with either Enbrel or Humira. I recently switched to Arava. I have only been on Arava for 3 weeks but feel much better than the past year on Metho. I rarely have any break through pain. So far the only side effect I have experienced is nausea (and I take Protonix daily which gets rid of it) and some other stomach issues I will try to resolve with a daily probiotic pill. It is worth it to be practically pain free! Just be careful this drug is very toxic and can be damaging -- be sure to get your blood work done every 6 weeks!Read More Read Less

The only problem I am having taking Arava is very sore gums.I had to give up taking Methotrexate because of the same thing.I do not want to give this treatment up because the pain is so much better.Can anybody help me.

High BP th only sied effect I have experienced, drug took 8 months to kick in but I do begin to feel better at last

I have had RA for 10 years and have been on many different meds. plus IV an treatment which have stopped working. Arava along with Orencia has been working very well for me, at times I forget I have RA.

I have not had any real problems on this med, I do take 2 grams of folic acid to help with side effects

I am alergic to anti inflamatories (sorry for the spelling) and was limited as to what I could take, my Dr. tried this and I am out of pain and have very little swelling

So far have responded very well to ARAVA. I am just past the six month mark, and usually need Steroid injections in my hips every six months. I have not had an injection in over 8 months and haven't scheduled one yet. I have tried numerous NSAID's in the past some worked ok, but made my Asthma flare up. I was hosptialized for five days due to a reaction to an NSAID. I am very happy that this is working.

When I first saw the rheumatologist she prescribed arava. After taking it I felt somewhat better.

I have been on arava for 8 years. I had to take nexium because of nausea with it which helped. It did help my RA. I now have EXTREMELY high blood pressure and have had to stop... my immune system cannot handle the drug anymore and I am only 24. PLEASE BE CAREFUl....

DRY COUGH THAT DOES NOT GO AWAY WITH SHORTNESS OF BREATH BUT JOINT PAIN GONE

I take 20 mg in a split dosage along with folic acid and I have had no adverse effects from this medication. I also take multivitamins. I find that the folic acid eliminated the symptoms I had at first. I have lost weight but I feel this is an added plus as I needed to lose weight which has helped my condition. I take 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg at night along with 1 mg of folic acid. I also take hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice a day. I function normally with these medications and I feel I have my life back.Read More Read Less

very sore throat and bloody muccus. Stopped taking it and 2 weeks ago and still have a sore throat. Pain patch stopped working while taking arava. Worse pain in tendons and tiered.

I do not recommend this drug in combination with methotrexate. Liver enzymes have not been normal since. It made me feel ill - the doctor said it was a flare, but it was not a flare - it just made me feel sick all the time. I was told by general practitioner, and she said that a lot of people felt ill on ARAVA. History: I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I tried methotrexate without much relief for 8-9 months. They dosed me with a wide variety of NSAIDs over time along with it, but none of them helped at all. Then, a new dr. put me on Arava, with the metho & that's when my liver enzymes went sky high. They are still not back to normal after nearly a year with no meds at all. I just got scared away from taking anything, but wrist joint damage has begun. So, I started plaquenil, and I am trying milk thistle for my liver and staying away from all alcohol for the time being. We shall see, not much relief so far, just digestive issues, increased hot flashes and mid-afternoon into evening fatigue that wrecks my life. I have Sjoerens & Reynauds also. I had wheezing yesterday – haven’t had that since on metho/Arava. But, of course the Drs. say it is not associated. Read More Read Less

I was on enbrel and methotrexate and doing quite well for about a year, but unfortunately developed methotrexate toxicity and had to stop. My rheumatologist prescribed ARAVA to replace the methotrexate. It took about four months to build up to levels where it was effective, but have had no problems on it. I feel good. The only side effect I have experienced is some very slight numbness in my toes which occurs in the morning and wears off during the day.