Arava® Tablets for Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis

What Arava® Is and How It Works

Arava® (leflunomide) is a disease‑modifying antirheumatic drug used for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It comes as oral tablets, most often 10 mg and 20 mg strengths. Many people search for arava 20 mg online because once‑daily dosing fits routine care. The active metabolite blocks pyrimidine synthesis, which reduces proliferation of activated lymphocytes. This helps decrease inflammation, pain, and joint damage over time.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. We also work with vetted, licensed international partner pharmacies to source authentic brand medicines, offering a broad selection at Canadian pricing.

Arava medicine is supplied by Sanofi (sometimes listed as Arava Sanofi or Arava Sanofi Aventis). The generic is leflunomide, and some patients switch between brand and generic depending on tolerability, access, and prescriber guidance.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical maintenance dose: 10–20 mg by mouth once daily. Many adults take 20 mg daily.
• Initiation: some clinicians start 10 mg daily and increase to 20 mg after 2–4 weeks based on response and labs.
• Optional loading: 100 mg once daily for 3 days may be used in select cases, but is often avoided due to side effects. Follow your prescriber’s plan.
• Administration: take at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow tablets whole.
• Missed dose: take as soon as remembered the same day. If close to the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double up.
• Monitoring: liver enzymes and CBC are checked regularly, especially during the first 6 months. Blood pressure is also monitored.
• Washout procedure: if serious toxicity occurs or pregnancy is planned, a drug elimination procedure can be used. Common options are cholestyramine 8 g three times daily for 11 days or activated charcoal 50 g every 12 hours for 11 days.
• Contraception: leflunomide is teratogenic. Women and men should use reliable contraception during treatment. A washout and verification of low levels are recommended before conception.

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F). Short excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable.
• Keep tablets dry and in the original bottle or blister. Protect from moisture.
• For travel, carry your medication in a carry‑on bag with your prescription label.
• Avoid leaving tablets in hot cars or direct sunlight. Do not freeze.
• Pack extra doses for trips and set phone reminders to help with adherence.

Benefits and Savings

Arava for rheumatoid arthritis helps reduce tender and swollen joints, morning stiffness, and C‑reactive protein levels. It can slow radiographic progression when used consistently. Many patients see improved function and fewer flares over time. Once‑daily tablets are convenient and support steady blood levels.

Clinical effects build gradually, and the long half‑life means missed doses may have less short‑term impact, though regular dosing is still important. Arava for psoriatic arthritis may lessen joint pain and swelling and can help with enthesitis in some cases, per clinical experience.

You can save 60–80% versus typical US prices when ordering through our Canadian pharmacy. We offer brand Arava 20 mg and generic leflunomide 20mg tablets. Multi‑month supplies can lower your per‑month arava cost, and periodic bulk promotions may further reduce your arava medication cost.

Pricing varies by strength and pack size. If you are comparing arava 20 mg price or arava 10 mg price with the generic leflunomide 20 mg price, check product pages for current options. Reorder reminders can help you avoid lapses and shipping delays.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, indigestion.
• Elevated liver enzymes, decreased appetite, weight loss.
• Headache, dizziness, fatigue.
• Hair thinning or increased hair shedding.
• Rash, dry skin, pruritus.
• Upper respiratory symptoms, cough, bronchitis.
• Blood pressure increases.

Serious risks can include severe liver injury, severe infections, bone marrow suppression, interstitial lung disease, peripheral neuropathy, and rare severe skin reactions. Embryo‑fetal toxicity is a known risk; leflunomide is contraindicated in pregnancy. Alcohol intake should be limited due to hepatotoxicity risk. Live vaccines are generally avoided during therapy. Discuss risks and lab monitoring with your clinician, especially if combining with other immunosuppressants.

Onset Time

Symptom improvement often begins after 4–6 weeks. More noticeable benefits commonly appear by 8–12 weeks, with maximum effect for some patients taking 3–6 months. Laboratory markers of inflammation may improve before clinical symptoms fully abate. If used with other DMARDs, earlier responses can occur, but safety monitoring remains essential.

Compare With Alternatives

Methotrexate is a cornerstone DMARD for rheumatoid arthritis and is often first‑line. Arava drug therapy is a practical alternative when methotrexate is not tolerated or insufficient, though combination use requires careful liver monitoring.

Hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine are other conventional options. Some regimens include “triple therapy” with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine as an alternative to biologics.

Biologic agents and JAK inhibitors are options for moderate to severe disease or inadequate response to conventional DMARDs. They can work faster but carry infection risks and higher costs. For an overview of options, see our guide on Arthritis Drugs.

Combination Therapy

• Methotrexate plus leflunomide: sometimes used in refractory cases; monitor liver enzymes closely.
• Leflunomide plus sulfasalazine or hydroxychloroquine: may improve control in some patients.
• Leflunomide with biologics or JAK inhibitors: used selectively; infection risk increases.
• Folate is not required as with methotrexate, but nutrition and alcohol limits are important.
• When combining immunosuppressants, dose adjustments and extra labs can reduce adverse events.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Arava medication for rheumatoid arthritis is generally considered for adults with active disease who need a conventional DMARD. It may not suit patients with active serious infection, significant liver disease, severe immunodeficiency, marked cytopenias, or known hypersensitivity to leflunomide. Arava tablets rheumatoid arthritis use requires reliable contraception for women and for men planning children, with washout before conception.

Those with a history of interstitial lung disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or peripheral neuropathy may need alternative therapy. Alcohol use should be moderated. Vaccination plans can be reviewed before starting therapy.

To manage arava price concerns, consider generic leflunomide arava alternatives when appropriate, compare leflunomide price across strengths, and choose a 90‑day supply to lower the per‑month arava cost. Buying Arava 20 mg Sanofi brand may be preferred in some cases; others may opt for generic to reduce leflunomide 20 mg price.

Practical tips:

• Set up reorder reminders so you do not run out during travel or holidays.
• Choose multi‑month quantities when your prescription allows, which can reduce shipping frequency and the monthly arava medication cost.
• Keep your lab schedule and follow‑up visits on a calendar to maintain continuous therapy.

Authoritative Sources

Sanofi product information hub

Health Canada Drug Product Database (Leflunomide/Arava)

FDA Prescribing Information for Arava (leflunomide)

Order Arava® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This material is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a licensed healthcare provider about your specific situation.