Drugplain

Arava 100 mg/1

leflunomide · TABLET, FILM COATED · sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC

No Recall HistoryCurrently in Shortage
Plain English

Arava (leflunomide) is an oral antirheumatic medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint inflammation and slowing disease progression. It comes as a 100 mg film-coated tablet taken by mouth and requires a prescription.

Key Facts

Brand Name
Arava
Generic Name
leflunomide
NDC Code (Product)
0088-2162
Manufacturer
sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC
Strength
100 mg/1
Dosage Form
TABLET, FILM COATED
Route
ORAL
Marketing Status
Application #
NDA020905
Drug Class
Antirheumatic Agent [EPC]
Marketing Start
09/10/1998

Recall History

No Recall History

Side Effects Reported to FDA

FDA FAERS database · These are reported events, not confirmed side effects

drug ineffective37,150 reports
rheumatoid arthritis25,096 reports
pain20,249 reports
arthralgia17,142 reports
drug intolerance15,735 reports
joint swelling15,730 reports
fatigue15,547 reports
rash13,498 reports
off label use11,975 reports
abdominal discomfort11,872 reports

Full Prescribing Information

Source: FDA Drug Label (SPL)For healthcare professionals

Indications & Usage

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ARAVA is indicated for the treatment of adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ARAVA is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with active rheumatoid arthritis. ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Loading dosage for patients at low risk for ARAVA-associated hepatotoxicity and ARAVA-associated myelosuppression: 100 mg daily for 3 days. ( 2.1 ) Maintenance dosage: 20 mg daily. ( 2.1 ) Maximum recommended daily dosage: 20 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) If 20 mg once daily is not tolerated, may decrease dosage to 10 mg once daily. ( 2.1 ) Screen patients for active and latent tuberculosis, pregnancy test (females), blood pressure, and laboratory tests before starting ARAVA. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of ARAVA is 20 mg once daily. Treatment may be initiated with or without a loading dose, depending upon the patient's risk of ARAVA-associated hepatotoxicity and ARAVA-associated myelosuppression. The loading dose provides steady-state concentrations more rapidly. For patients who are at low risk for ARAVA-associated hepatotoxicity and ARAVA-associated myelosuppression, the recommended ARAVA loading dose is 100 mg once daily for 3 days. Subsequently administer 20 mg once daily. For patients at high risk for ARAVA-associated hepatotoxicity (e.g., those taking concomitant methotrexate) or ARAVA-associated myelosuppression (e.g., patients

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ARAVA is contraindicated in: Pregnant women. ARAVA may cause fetal harm. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking this drug, stop ARAVA, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to the fetus, and begin a drug elimination procedure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Patients with severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Patients with known hypersensitivity to leflunomide or any of the other components of ARAVA. Known reactions include anaphylaxis [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients being treated with teriflunomide [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . Pregnancy. ( 4 , 5.1 , 8.1 ) Severe hepatic impairment. ( 4 , 5.2 ) Hypersensitivity to ARAVA or any of its inactive components. ( 4 ) Current teriflunomide treatment. ( 4 )

Drug Interactions

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Following oral administration, leflunomide is metabolized to an active metabolite, teriflunomide, which is responsible for essentially all of leflunomide's in vivo activity. Drug interaction studies have been conducted with both ARAVA (leflunomide) and with its active metabolite, teriflunomide, where the metabolite was directly administered to the test subjects. Drugs metabolized by CYP2C8 and OAT3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) Teriflunomide may increase exposure of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. Choose an appropriate oral contraceptive. ( 7 ) Drugs metabolized by CYP1A2: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may decrease exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) Warfarin: Monitor INR as teriflunomide may decrease INR. ( 7 ) Drugs metabolized by BCRP and OATP1B1/B3 transporters: Monitor patients because teriflunomide may increase exposure of these drugs. ( 7 ) Rosuvastatin: The dose of rosuvastatin should not exceed 10 mg once daily in patients taking ARAVA. ( 7 ) Effect of Potent CYP and Transporter Inducers Leflunomide is metabolized by CYP450 metabolizing enzymes. Concomitant use of ARAVA and rifa

Adverse Reactions

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Immunosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Bone marrow suppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Serious infections [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Skin ulcers [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Interstitial lung disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥10%) regardless of relation to ARAVA treatment were diarrhea, respiratory infection, nausea, headache, rash, abnormal liver enzymes, and dyspepsia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arava used for?

Arava (leflunomide) is an oral antirheumatic medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint inflammation and slowing disease progression. It comes as a 100 mg film-coated tablet taken by mouth and requires a prescription.

Is Arava a controlled substance?

Arava is not classified as a controlled substance by the DEA.

What is the generic name for Arava?

The generic name for Arava is leflunomide. There are 11 other brand versions of leflunomide.

What is the NDC code for Arava 100 mg/1?

The NDC (National Drug Code) for Arava 100 mg/1 is 0088-2162, listed by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.