Question 1

is arava (leflunomide) cheaper then methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Methotrexate cheaper: Generic Methotrexate is very inexpensive.  If you get name brand pills it's more, but generic version of Arava (leflunomide) is more expensive than Methotrexate and Arava is the most expensive.  In my experience, Methotrexate works better and has less frequent dosing (weekly instead of daily). I only use Leflunomide (arava) if Methotrexate can't be used for some reason. Side effects are similar.

Question 2

why do i need to stop methotrexate & arava (leflunomide) before alif surgery? i can't take it for 2 months after, why?

Accepted Answer

See below: You must stop before surgery and you can resume it until you are cleared the surgeon performing surgery because it can put you at increased risk for post-surgerical infections.

Question 3

taking arava (leflunomide) and methotrexate. will i lose hair? not sure, but it looks like thinning on top.

Accepted Answer

You can: Hair loss is more often associated with Methotrexate and thus you should take Folic Acid to prevent that.

Question 4

alt high 60, ast high 45 on methotrexate 25mg, arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel weekly. should i be concerned? never had pblm.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: I, personally am not a big fan of using Methotrexate and Arava (leflunomide) in combination because of the increased risk of liver toxicity. Your enzymes are only mildly elevated but i would talk to your rheumatologist about reducing dosages or eliminating one of the meds altogether.

Question 5

saw rheumy. today.gave me arava (leflunomide) 20mg+methotrexate 25mg+enbrel for psoriasis/psor.arthritis.is it safe, r all 3 used frequently/sometimes, opinion please ?

Accepted Answer

Psoriatic Arthritis: Methotrexate (trexall) is the most common dmard used to treat psoriatic arthritis. However, it has potentially serious side effects, including lung, kidney and liver problems. Using Arava and  Methotrexate together my increase the risk of hepatotoxicity & leukopenia.I would just use a biologic like Remicade or Humira or Enbrel or stelara (ustekinumab) which should control your disease but this is my opinion.

Question 6

psa have tried mtx w /remicade& w/ humara no help methotrexate caused blood issues but worked better. now embrel/leflunomide.no relief frustrated help?

Accepted Answer

MTX sc ?: Mtx causes less liver issues given sc versus oral. Also mtx has more potent metabolites that take 10 weeks to develop. You did not specify what tests where abnormal.  But you suggest that mtx was given alone. Was it? Mtx and Humira (adalimumab) are a good combo for psoriatic arthritis.

Question 7

on arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel 50mg weekly, methotrexate 25mg. any other rheumatologist prescribed this for psoriasis/psor. arthitis?i'm worried about my liver.

Accepted Answer

Follow laboratory: You are correct that liver problems are risk with this regimen. Your physician needs to be certain that you are followed closely and correctly. Your own responsibility is to refrain from alcohol, and be certain no additional medicines you take do not worsen this risk. If you are concerned you need to discuss this with your physician. There are other therapy choices available.

Question 8

take propecia 1mg, methotrexate 25mg, arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel weekly, b12 & folic acid..which ones are most likely to cause high liver enzymes(ast&alt)?

Accepted Answer

Mtx and enbrel (etanercept) : Methotrexate and Enbrel (etanercept) can cause elevation of the liver enzymes.

Question 9

i took myself off methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis without my doctor knowing it. i was on arava and enbrel and my enzymes were slightly elevated. i want to see if psoriasis comes back. if it does and my enzymes go down, i will start start the medicine

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: I do believe meds need to be adjusted if liver enzymes are elevated. I also personally do not use Arava (leflunomide) and Methotrexate together because of just this issue. However, i never encourage patients to stop meds without discussing issue with the doctor first.

Question 10

is it o.k. to tan while on methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

No: While this is actually unlikely to cause problems, sunburn may be more likely while using methotrexate.  Though it may depend on why and how you're using it.

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Doctor answers about:

Leflunomide vs methotrexate

A member asked:

Is arava (leflunomide) cheaper then methotrexate?

A member asked:

Why do i need to stop methotrexate & arava (leflunomide) before alif surgery? i can't take it for 2 months after, why?

A member asked:

Taking arava (leflunomide) and methotrexate. will i lose hair? not sure, but it looks like thinning on top.

A member asked:

Alt high 60, ast high 45 on methotrexate 25mg, arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel weekly. should i be concerned? never had pblm.

A member asked:

Saw rheumy. today.gave me arava (leflunomide) 20mg+methotrexate 25mg+enbrel for psoriasis/psor.arthritis.is it safe, r all 3 used frequently/sometimes, opinion please ?

A member asked:

Psa have tried mtx w /remicade& w/ humara no help methotrexate caused blood issues but worked better. now embrel/leflunomide.no relief frustrated help?

A member asked:

On arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel 50mg weekly, methotrexate 25mg. any other rheumatologist prescribed this for psoriasis/psor. arthitis?i'm worried about my liver.

A member asked:

Take propecia 1mg, methotrexate 25mg, arava (leflunomide) 20mg, enbrel weekly, b12 & folic acid..which ones are most likely to cause high liver enzymes(ast&alt)?

A member asked:

I took myself off methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis without my doctor knowing it. i was on arava and enbrel and my enzymes were slightly elevated. i want to see if psoriasis comes back. if it does and my enzymes go down, i will start start the medicine

A member asked:

Is it o.k. to tan while on methotrexate?

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