Arava and Liver Damage: What Users Say

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My mother took this drug, Arava, and it completely changed her personality, it damaged her liver while already being in stage 3 kidney failure from 42 plus years of being on medications for RA. She had weakness, shortness of breath, liver failure, and a lot of other issues. Took her to the ER, she was admitted, and 10 days later she died. The medication caused her liver to fail, was bad for her immune system, and made her susceptible to an infection. She got sepsis while at the hospital and died. I honestly blame this medication for her death, she was on it for 18 months, and it made everything worse."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "One year on Arava so far. Has greatly improved joint pain. The side effects I have noticed are some skin lesions, thinning eyebrows, migraine headache increase, and elevated liver enzymes. It has given me back movement, which is important for overall health. I will take the side effects compared to ruined joints for now. I did have liver enzymes normal a week after steroid shop for a bad headache. I would think the medication could reduce swelling in the liver."

• M--...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2025

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been using Arava (Leflunomide) for the management of rheumatoid arthritis following a formal diagnosis after experiencing progressive, symmetric joint pain beginning in late 2021. Initially prescribed at a dose of 20 mg daily alongside Prednisolone 5 mg, the treatment helped significantly in controlling inflammation and reducing flare-ups. After one year, I successfully tapered off Prednisolone and continued with Arava alone. Side effects that I experienced personally: 1. Mild elevation in blood pressure, which may be due to Prednisolone. 2. Elevated liver enzymes, which required dose reduction. 3. Gastrointestinal discomfort, including gastritis and headaches. Rating: 8/10. I am giving Arava a rating of 8 out of 10 due to the side effects I encountered. While the drug has been effective in controlling RA symptoms, the need for dose adjustments and management of side effects slightly diminished its overall convenience and tolerability."