Re: INFO - Arava monitoring recommendations from the manufacturer (Aventis)

[Guest guest]

Yeah, I was one of those unlucky few whose liver counts just kept

going up and up until they got dangerously high, and the doctor told

me I had to stop taking it. ...Which was a shame, because it worked

better than anything else has for my RA. I actually felt normal for

a few weeks.<g>

--- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...>

wrote:

>

> Arava.com

> Arava FAQS

>

>

> Excerpt:

>

> Can Arava affect my liver?

>

> Arava can cause an increase in liver enzymes or, in rare cases,

liver

> injury, with the potential to be life threatening. Therefore, your

doctor

> will monitor your liver enzyme blood test to check for problems

and, if

> necessary, adjust or discontinue your dose of Arava. Liver blood

tests are

> performed at the start of treatment, at monthly intervals for 6

months, and

> then, once liver enzymes are stabilized, every 6 to 8 weeks. Liver

blood

> tests are required because of the possibility of liver damage in

people

> taking Arava. Arava is not recommended for patients with

significant liver

> disease or hepatitis B or C.

>

>

> In clinical studies with Arava, liver enzymes were elevated in a

> significant number of Arava patients

>

> In clinical studies, most elevations were mild and usually resolved

> while continuing treatment

>

> Few patients stopped taking Arava due to elevations in their liver

> function tests

>

>

> Can Arava affect my blood counts?

>

> With Arava, you may develop very low blood counts, especially if

you are

> taking other medications. To check for this potential problem, your

doctor

> will monitor your blood regularly and, if necessary, discontinue

treatment.

> Just as with liver monitoring, your blood will be evaluated when

you begin

> Arava, and at monthly intervals for 6 months, and then every 6 to 8

weeks.

> If, however, you are taking Arava with another medication that could

> suppress your bone marrow-like methotrexate-blood monitoring must

be done

> every month.

>

> Arava is not recommended for anyone with serious immune system

problems or

> severe, uncontrolled infection. If a serious infection occurs,

Arava may

> need to be stopped. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect

you have

> any sign of infection

>

>

> http://arava.com/patient/about_arava/arava_medication_faqs.do

>

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, ! I really do appreciate this information!!

--- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...>

wrote:

>

> Arava.com

> Arava FAQS

>

>

> Excerpt:

>

> Can Arava affect my liver?

>

> Arava can cause an increase in liver enzymes or, in rare cases, liver

> injury, with the potential to be life threatening. Therefore, your

doctor

> will monitor your liver enzyme blood test to check for problems and, if

> necessary, adjust or discontinue your dose of Arava. Liver blood

tests are

> performed at the start of treatment, at monthly intervals for 6

months, and

> then, once liver enzymes are stabilized, every 6 to 8 weeks. Liver blood

> tests are required because of the possibility of liver damage in people

> taking Arava. Arava is not recommended for patients with significant

liver

> disease or hepatitis B or C.

>

>

> In clinical studies with Arava, liver enzymes were elevated in a

> significant number of Arava patients

>

> In clinical studies, most elevations were mild and usually resolved

> while continuing treatment

>

> Few patients stopped taking Arava due to elevations in their liver

> function tests

>

>

> Can Arava affect my blood counts?

>

> With Arava, you may develop very low blood counts, especially if you are

> taking other medications. To check for this potential problem, your

doctor

> will monitor your blood regularly and, if necessary, discontinue

treatment.

> Just as with liver monitoring, your blood will be evaluated when you

begin

> Arava, and at monthly intervals for 6 months, and then every 6 to 8

weeks.

> If, however, you are taking Arava with another medication that could

> suppress your bone marrow-like methotrexate-blood monitoring must be

done

> every month.

>

> Arava is not recommended for anyone with serious immune system

problems or

> severe, uncontrolled infection. If a serious infection occurs, Arava may

> need to be stopped. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect

you have

> any sign of infection

>

>

> http://arava.com/patient/about_arava/arava_medication_faqs.do

>

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>