I've been on Arava for a month now. I also take MTX.
MTX has helped, but not enough. Hoping Arava helps more.

I was on Arava for several years and thought it was great and worked well. Increased stiffness started to set in so I was switched to MTX and my biologic was switched as well. Still having the stiffness.

Roseis: they are Both "biologics" doing the same thing. I had bad side effects w/Mtx so I just started Arava, so far I only experience nausea but that is better than a possible flair up, we'll see. I think both drugs together cant be good....one of them with prednisone during a flair works for me. i wish and pray for your health/peace of mind. T.

tc,
Not they are not biologics.
They are both DMARDs (which biologics fall into the DMARD category).
They act in a similar fashion, but have different mechanisms.
MTX is an anti-purine ,Meaning it acts on Guanine and Adenine
Arava is an anti-pyrimidine , meaning it acts on Thymine and Cytosine.

MTX is more locally acting, but Arava is more Systemically acting.
I take both.
My rheumy and I discussed it, since I had some luck with MTX, we decided to hit the other two nucleotides. In hopes that it will tamp my system down a few more notches.
Biologics are "designer" monoclonal antibodies. Made to target specific proteins, cytokines etc. Usually an injectable of some sort (IV or SQ), but an oral tablet was just approved provisionally in the US, but not Europe.

My dr has never mentioned this drug even with the blood work problems I'm having.

Just another reason I'm glad I'm changing doctors. Next week can not get here soon enough.

It is great learning what works for others,

I've been on Arava for nearly 4 years - it helps me (I could not tolerate MTX). I also take Orencia. Arava can cause some people to have some stomach issues. I definitely notice when I'm not taking it.

I spoke with the Rheumy today via phone and we're going to continue with MTX for another couple of weeks. My RA is responding to it (lab work improving and feeling better) but the side effects are ugh! Hopefully with the injections now I'll have fewer side effects. Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be trying Arava if I continue with to experience nausea and such.

RCross,
It took me a few months on injections to get to the point where it didn't kick my butt completely every time.
I just saw my rheumy last week and he told me that I can split my dose in half and take it 12 or 24 hours apart. No more than 24 hours apart though.
I did the 12 hours this weekend and I am still really tired. Next week I will try 24 hours.
I take 20 mg SQ weekly (each ml is 25 mg, I take 0.8ml)
Arava takes MUCH longer to reach full effect.
I am finding that while I thought the SSZ wasn't helping, it actually was! Now I am in a holding pattern again.

Hi Rcross, I too took MTX injections for a while. The reason was because I was on a high dose of MTX, too high to be taking orally. Hope the nausea stops. I was tired, so tired when I went back on MTX recently. Now the tiredness is better, has been decreased.Hope you are feeling better soon and your plan of treatment works for you.

Arava really made a big difference for me. I'm also on Planquenil and Sulfasalazine. The combo works well for me. But, everyone reacts differently and needs their own combinations. Good luck finding the right one for you.