How to Use Arava to Treat Arthritis

Arava is one of the newer arthritis drugs on the market and is used mainly to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Classified as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), Arava is extremely potent stuff. It works by suppressing the immune system, thus halting or weakening the autoimmune reaction at the root of many varieties of arthritis. However, with its strength comes a veritable laundry list of potential side effects. If you are ready to take your arthritis treatment to the next level, you need to learn how to use Arava.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Rheumatologist to monitor your treatment
• Daily consumption schedule
• Prescription for Arava

1. Get a prescription for Arava from your doctor.
2. Take Arava once a day. In rare cases, doctors may prescribe a more frequent dosage schedule. Be sure to swallow the pill whole.
3. Eat something if you want to. However, unlike many arthritis medications, you aren't required to take food with Arava.
4. Give yourself a schedule for taking your Arava. Usually, this means designating a certain time each day to take your medication. This will help you remember to take it, as Arava is only beneficial if you take it on a steady, regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Arava can stay in your body for up to two years from the time you stop taking it. If you're planning to become pregnant within two years of stopping Arava, your doctor will need to give you another drug designed to remove stored Arava from your body.
• Do not use Arava if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Arava can cause serious, debilitating birth defects in fetuses. If you're a woman of childbearing age, you will most likely be asked to use two different forms of birth control while on Arava. You may even need to show proof of compliance, such as a prescription for birth control pills or insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD), before your doctor will consent to treating your arthritis with Arava.
• Do not get any immunizations while on Arava, not even a flu shot. Taking Arava increases your risk of becoming infected with just about everything, including the weakened viruses in most immunizations.
• Be extra careful when driving while taking Arava, as it may cause dizziness.
• Alcohol and Arava do not mix, so don't imbibe while using this drug to treat the arthritis.