What is Arava used for? Arava is used to treat active
rheumatoid arthritis in adults to reduce signs and symptoms and to slow down damage to
joints.
Who should not take Arava? You must not take
Arava if you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing age not using reliable contraception.
Special Warnings with Arava:
For Women:
- You must not take Arava if you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing
age not using reliable contraception, because in animal studies Arava has been shown to
cause birth defects to the fetus.
- You must avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Arava. If you suspect
or find out that you are pregnant while taking Arava call you health care provider right
away.
- After stopping Arava treatment you must complete the drug elimination procedure
before becoming pregnant because Arava stays in the body a long time.
- You should not breast-feed if you are taking Arava.
For Men:
- If there is any possibility your partner could become pregnant, you should stop
Arava treatment and go through the drug elimination procedure prescribed by your doctor.
For All Patients:
Your doctor will conduct liver tests before you start taking Arava and will
check your liver’s response to Arava every month at first.
General Precautions with Arava:
If you have the following conditions or if you are being treated with
medications that can be harmful to your liver Arava may not be right for you:
- Liver disease including hepatitis B or C
- Kidney problems
- Severe immune system disorders, bone marrow disorders or severe uncontrolled
infection.
What are some possible side effects of Arava? (This is NOT
a complete list of side effects reported with Arava. Your health care provider can discuss
with you a more complete list of side effects.)
- Diarrhea
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Hair loss
- Rash
- In postmarketing experience worldwide, rare, serious hepatic (liver) injury, including cases with fatal outcome, have been reported during treatment with Arava.
For more detailed information about Arava, ask your health care provider.
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/1998/20905lbl.pdf Link to
Arava’s Labeling
Posted: 2/17/99
Revised: 7/25/00 |
