INFO - Arava monitoring recommendations from the manufacturer (Aventis)

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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

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