Arava (Ah-RAY-va, leflunomide), a new disease-modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis
April 2000
Aventis is now marketing Arava (Ah-RAY-va, leflunomide), a new disease-modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis.
Arava relieves pain and swelling...and slows joint damage. It works by inhibiting the production of immune cells that attack the joints. It's as effective as methotrexate or sulfasalazine.
Most patients start with a loading dose of 100 mg/day for 3 days...then drop down to 20 mg/day. The loading dose is needed to achieve therapeutic levels more quickly.
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