Arava (Leflunomide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Arava Used For?
Arava contains leflunomide, an immunosuppressive medicine that works by reducing the activity of your immune system to treat certain types of arthritis.
Primary Uses
Arava is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It helps slow down joint damage and relieves symptoms like joint tenderness, swelling, pain, and morning stiffness.
How It Works
Arava works by selectively interfering with white blood cells called lymphocytes, preventing them from producing the disease response that leads to pain, inflammation, and joint damage.
Good to know: Arava helps control your condition but does not cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed.
How to Take Arava
Take Arava exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on your condition and other medicines you may be taking.
Dosage Instructions
The standard dose is 100 mg per day for the first 3 days, then one 10 mg or 20 mg tablet daily. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water at about the same time each day. You can take it with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose and there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not stop taking Arava or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- rashes and itchy skin
- hair loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- numbness or tingling of skin
- dizziness
- headache
- loss of appetite
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- fever or signs of infection
- severe skin rash or mouth sores
- blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- pale skin, prone to infection or bruising and feeling tired
- skin ulcer (open sore)
- severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
- new or worsening cough or trouble breathing
- yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
- swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- hives
- fainting
- thickened patches of red skin
Important Warnings
Arava has serious warnings and is not suitable for everyone. Review these carefully before taking this medication.
Who Should Not Take Arava
Do not take Arava if you are allergic to leflunomide or teriflunomide, have diseases that reduce your body’s natural defenses (like infections), blood diseases, serious skin disorders, liver disease, hypoproteinaemia (low blood protein), are pregnant or planning pregnancy, not using reliable birth control, or are breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have decreased white blood cells, liver or kidney problems, chronic infections, illness that lowered your resistance to disease, tuberculosis, or lung problems like interstitial lung disease (a serious and potentially fatal condition).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You must not become pregnant while taking Arava and for a certain period after stopping. Arava may increase birth defect risk. Women of childbearing age must use reliable contraception. Do not breastfeed while taking Arava as it passes into breast milk.
Serious Risk: Arava is not approved for children or adolescents under 18 years old.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Arava and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- warfarin (blood thinner)
- diabetes medicines
- epilepsy medicines
- tuberculosis medicines
- cholesterol-lowering medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption while taking Arava as it may worsen alcohol’s effects.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. It’s recommended that you minimize alcohol intake while taking Arava as the effects of alcohol could be made worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Arava may cause dizziness and unusual tiredness or weakness, which could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Storage
Store Arava in a cool, dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep tablets in their original container until time to take them and keep away from children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Arava, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arava helps slow down joint damage and relieve arthritis symptoms, but the medication guide doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Yes, you can take Arava with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day with a full glass of water.
Do not stop taking Arava or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. In certain situations, your doctor may ask you to take medication to help your body get rid of Arava faster.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. It’s recommended that you minimize alcohol intake while taking Arava as the effects of alcohol could be made worse.
If you miss a dose and there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.
No, you must not become pregnant while taking Arava and for a certain period after stopping, as it may increase the risk of birth defects. Women of childbearing age must use reliable contraception.
Yes, your doctor may need to take blood samples to monitor the health of your liver and blood cells while you are taking Arava.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.