Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Arava questions

RAmom1423
RAmom1423
Hello,
So the NP put me on arava. I've been taking it for four days. On the second day I was miserable with tummy trouble and other unmentionable trouble! I seem to be tolerating it better today but for those of you who have taken this medication I have questions.

Is it ok to take with all of your daily meds or at a different time?
What other side effects have you had?
Did you tolerate it better than methotrexate?
How does it work compared to methotrexate? Does it take longer to start seeing the effects?
Is it ok to have a glass or two of wine with dinner while on this med? I'm on 10 mg daily. I really miss my daily glass of wine!
Thanks!
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
I've been taking Arava for about two years. I take it in the morning with other meds. I have been doing well on 20mg per day, along with Orencia, an anti-depressent and Tramadol.
You want to take care of your liver. I will indulge and have a glass of wine once a month or so. I tell myself this : " Do I want a glass of wine or do I want to walk" . It is harsh, but true. The only thing worse than taking all these meds is not taking them.
I do have side effects from all these meds, sometimes the side effects lessen over time.
Good luck,
Lynne
Sunvalleygal
Sunvalleygal
I take Arava 20 mg a day . yes, in the beginning it gave me stomach problems. I took GasX and did much better.

No other side effects and it is working very well along w/ Plaquenil, Tramadol, and Naproxen.

I could not tolerate the fatigue on Mtx. The other meds do not seem to cause as much fatigue.

I take it after meals in the a.m. I do not drink bc I have other issues that are enhanced by alcohol. I suggest you ask your doctor or the pharmacist. A lot of times for med questions, I call the pharmacist.
depotblue
depotblue
your alt and ast - your liver tests are being pulled frequently. remember to get a printed copy, read your numbers and see where they are and if they are trending up or not. yeah of course the rheumatologist will do this also, but i found it helped to have the reference point as in why my liver numbers were going up or this one is nice, going down :). (at the time of the up up and away i was on a very extensive antiobiotic treatment and chewing pain relief and nsaids). i was able to bring them down but we don't always have this option. as Lynne says, and I agree, I want to walk first.

the one option we do have is what we put in our mouth for recreation and joy :). i'm thinking the doctor might say she/he recommends occasionally but I am not sure occasionally is nightly for dinner or night cap. but do what you think is best after you shoot the hay with your doc :) and read your numbers.

i was allergic to arava (hives and swelling) but took mtx for a couple years. i wish you great success with arava

depot
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
I thought Arava was a good drug but I was taking it with Methotrexate.
Unfortunately when the dose was increased it sent my blood pressure, which has always been normal, sky-high to 210/120 (yes, that was the reading). I had to stop them straight away.
Good luck.