I just started this drug. I've taken 4 pills so far at 20 mgs per day. So far so good. I haven't had any side effects yet. But with imuran and mtx I didn't get bad side effects for the first few months so we will see. I'm interested to see what others have to say about it as well.

I have just filled a prescription for Arava but have not started taking it yet because I am still having allergic reaction (after 9 months) to TNF inhibitors and have started today on Dapsone trying to stop the allergic skin reaction. So I have been reluctant to start two new prescriptions at the same time in case I have an allergic reaction to one of them I would not know which one (I'm allergic to just about everything).

Please keep us posted on how you do on Arava. I am very curious and want to gain as much knowledge about it as possible. I have had 3 Orencia infusions so far and wanted to add Arava since Orencia takes so long to start working.

Good luck.

My reaction to mtx was horrible. I broke out in a rash on both of my hands. It itched like crazy then my skin started peeling off. My doctor told me to take allegra once a day for it. Man I was shocked at how fast it started to fade. It's almost gone . It's only been a day. WOW.

I just logged on to post a Q about Avara and saw this post. I have been on it almost four weeks. I discontinued MTX after nine months of living hell. It didn't help and made me soooo sick. I'm doing somewhat better on Avara so far. Keeping my fingers crossed! I'm interested to hear other's experience w this med. Good luck to you!

I've been on it for about 3 1/2 months now. I haven't experienced any of the side effects except the easy bruising.
My Liver is handling it just fine.
I haven't really had any drastic improvement with it though. It helps a little, but I am still taking pain medication daily.
My Rheumy is keeping me on it for 2 more months before he will even consider another course of treatment... he is a real peach.

I have been on Arava for a year and a half after having to come off MTX due to high liver enzymes. I never experienced any negative side effects from it. It is supposed to help with swelling and stiffness, which it does to some degree. I don't feel like it is helping me enough though. My rheumy is reluctant to try anything else at this point because I also take Cellcept for Lupus. It is an immunosuppressant and because of it I have a real low white blood count. He says "You are on 2 powerful drugs and I don't want to add or change anything right now." I just wish I felt the benefits of it more. (I just had my thyroid taken out 3 months ago, so I'm having some symptoms from getting used to the Synthroid medicine which include joint pain. It's hard for me to pinpoint what is causing which symptoms.)
I hear a lot of comments from others that they cannot tolerate Arava, but for me: no issues. Hope it helps you, with minimum side effects!

I am on MTX now after being off for years. I was on Arava for a long time and just went back on MTX about a month ago because I was having so much pain after starting Rituxan and my Rhematoogist felt that MTX and Rituxan combo would be better for me at this time.I loved Arava and it did me well with the leg stiffness. Now the stiffness is back and I am tired so I may need to switch again. Will talk to Rheumatologist on Tuesday.

I've been on Arava since April and it's made a world of difference to me. It's the first drug I've tried after my RA really took off from 2-3 flares a year to constant flares. Since starting Arava, I had one flare when I was on it for a few weeks (so it wasn't fully in my system yet) and it was a mild one. Since then, NOTHING! Some lingering pain in my wrist from joint damage but that's it. Liver enzymes are fine, even with a glass of wine a couple of times a week. No other side effects at all. Good luck!

My doctor wanted me on Arava because I also got really sick on MTX, but I can't find it at any pharmacies where I live. I'm hearing lots of good things about Arava here, especially from people who reacted badly to MTX, so maybe it's time to try the pharmacy again and see if it's off back order - maybe that'll help me feel better.

I went off MTX (was on it in pill form first, then by self injection) after I began having chronic headaches and nausea for 24 - 48 hours after the injection.

I started the generic form of Arava ( Leflunomide) in May and have had good results so far. Just yesterday at my quarterly appointment with my RA doctor, she increased the dosage to 20 mg per day due to swelling, pain, and stiffness in hands, wrists, and elbows. I will be interested to see how long before I might see a decrease in swelling, pain, etc. with the increased dose.

As for side effects, I have not seen any other than I have noticed my eyes have been drier, more red, and my vision a little blurred. (Not sure if this is related to the Arava or not). Needless to say I have an eye doctor appointment next week! RA doctor thought it (generic Arava) might upset my stomach but I have been already taking a daily generic Prilosec.

Good luck with it! I hope it works! :)

I also had a reaction to mtx and was put on arava once taken off of mtx. I can report no reactions so far from arava and it has been 3 months or so. Wish you tons of luck and hope this helps you!!

How much Arava is everybody on?

I am have been on Arava since February. I spent 1 month on 10 mg the moved to 20 mg per day since then. I feel like it is working ok. 1 major flare that lasted about 10 days. Cried every day during. I have been tapered down on Prednisone and am now on 5mg per day. Have yet to get lower than that.
Side effects are spoatic. I have diarrhea a few times a week and occasional abdominal pain but it quickly is gone. I have noticed that my hair is falling out bad. Anybody else with this problem?

I have been on leflunomide for three weeks at 20 Mgs a day. I've noticed that things are definately loosening up in the bowel dept. not quite diarrhea, but borderline. I hope that doesn't get worse. I've also had some nausea here and there. And my hair is falling out a bit too. I am feeling better, but I can't wait until it reaches the full effect.

I was asking how much Arava everyone was on because my Rheumy and I are disagreeing. My Rheumy started me at 40 mg. I had no side effects and was getting relief. As time went on, it appearred that I needed more. The dose was not enough.(Ican't use any Biologicals because I'm very susceptible to infections. I've been on 5 different ones and hospitalized 4 times with septicimia) My GP, whio was a pharmatist before medical school checked thre PDR and the dose could go to 80mg. He upped it. I was there for 1 year. No side effects and feeling the best in 29 years. The Rheumy found out during a visit and was not happy. He reduce It to 40mg a year ago. I'm miserable, constant pain and have had more deformaties come up in one year than in any other time in the 30 years I've had RA. I asked my Rheumy to up the dose. He found research that says it's okay now to go to 80mg. The probelm is that Arava is hepatoxic. my labs are always fine. I can't do anything but sit all day. The pain, fatigue and destruction to my ankles and fingers is limiting movement and function.