Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Side Effects Of Arava?
Question: I started Arava 2 weeks ago and the last 3 days I am experiencing palpitations, pulse is 92+ , normally 60. I'm scared because my vision is affected and I'm stumbling, slurring my words. I have 'rhupus' ex 15 years ago Arava prescription as Pred sparing drug. Am decreasing Pred from 20.
xxxxx- XXXXXXX
xxxxx- XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Consult treating physician and stop arava
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Arava is usually prescribed in rheumatoid arthritis. The common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, headache, rash, itching, loss or thinning of hair, and weight loss.
Palpitations, high blood pressure may also occur.
You should consult your treating physician and stop arava presently.
You have to be evaluated for other disease realted to brain if the symptoms are not related to drug.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Consult treating physician and stop arava
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Arava is usually prescribed in rheumatoid arthritis. The common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, headache, rash, itching, loss or thinning of hair, and weight loss.
Palpitations, high blood pressure may also occur.
You should consult your treating physician and stop arava presently.
You have to be evaluated for other disease realted to brain if the symptoms are not related to drug.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you Doctor.
I appreciate your informed reply however I asked for a rheumatologist as I have lupus/ RA.
I'm thinking it is an ' Addison' response from reducing prednisolone too quickly. My legs are so weak they buckle and I have just vomited.
I've taken 5 mg Pred just now and shall wait and see.
With
Kind regards.
Penelope- XXXXXXX
I appreciate your informed reply however I asked for a rheumatologist as I have lupus/ RA.
I'm thinking it is an ' Addison' response from reducing prednisolone too quickly. My legs are so weak they buckle and I have just vomited.
I've taken 5 mg Pred just now and shall wait and see.
With
Kind regards.
Penelope- XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Increase steroid and consult rheumatologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes consult a rheumatologist.
Rapid steroid tapering may cause addisonian crisis.
Take steroid at 5-7.5 mg dose with a proton pump inhibitors.
Review and discuss your medications with your rheumatologist.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
neurologist
Increase steroid and consult rheumatologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes consult a rheumatologist.
Rapid steroid tapering may cause addisonian crisis.
Take steroid at 5-7.5 mg dose with a proton pump inhibitors.
Review and discuss your medications with your rheumatologist.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thankyou so much for your reply.
I live by the sea in our beach house and my kind husband came down after surgery yesterday , he said exactly as you did. My GP is in town an hour away which is not great when one isn't able to drive whilst unwell.
I have my next rheumatologist appt in December and I appreciate having a physician just here: you. I am following your instructions. And my surgeon husband whom claims to know nothing medical concurs . I'm having the worst flare in 15 years and feel panicky.
Once again thankyou.
xxxxx - XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Thankyou so much for your reply.
I live by the sea in our beach house and my kind husband came down after surgery yesterday , he said exactly as you did. My GP is in town an hour away which is not great when one isn't able to drive whilst unwell.
I have my next rheumatologist appt in December and I appreciate having a physician just here: you. I am following your instructions. And my surgeon husband whom claims to know nothing medical concurs . I'm having the worst flare in 15 years and feel panicky.
Once again thankyou.
xxxxx - XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Consult your rheumatologist earlier
Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxx- XXXXXXX
I will advise you to call and get an earlier appointment with your rheumatologist as pain killers may have to be increased with steroid escalation.
For other complains you may visit your physician for routine examination and investigations if required.
Hoping for your good health.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Consult your rheumatologist earlier
Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxx- XXXXXXX
I will advise you to call and get an earlier appointment with your rheumatologist as pain killers may have to be increased with steroid escalation.
For other complains you may visit your physician for routine examination and investigations if required.
Hoping for your good health.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr XXXXXXX
I think my body is trying to adapt to the drug Arava combined with a flare. I'm very puffy and having got hold of test results from last week, the liver is affected which explains the fluid retention and as you predicted, BP at 163/107 when I'm usually 100/60. Thank you for reading and repling and I am sure once the flare has abated it will become obvious if I need to at least ring the rheumatologist and cease the new drug.
Regards
xxxxx- XXXXXXX
I think my body is trying to adapt to the drug Arava combined with a flare. I'm very puffy and having got hold of test results from last week, the liver is affected which explains the fluid retention and as you predicted, BP at 163/107 when I'm usually 100/60. Thank you for reading and repling and I am sure once the flare has abated it will become obvious if I need to at least ring the rheumatologist and cease the new drug.
Regards
xxxxx- XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
consult your rheumatologist regarding side effects and liver dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hello Penelope- XXXXXXX
Since you are having drug related side effects it is better to consult the treating rheumatologist either personally or via phone. The need to continue medication or decrease in the dose will be better advised by him.
If liver functions are also deranged then you need a consultation as timely measure will avoid any problems later on.
God bless you.
Hope you recover early.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
consult your rheumatologist regarding side effects and liver dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
Hello Penelope- XXXXXXX
Since you are having drug related side effects it is better to consult the treating rheumatologist either personally or via phone. The need to continue medication or decrease in the dose will be better advised by him.
If liver functions are also deranged then you need a consultation as timely measure will avoid any problems later on.
God bless you.
Hope you recover early.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you Doctor XXXXXXX
You are right of course. I have checked the BP a few minutes ago. It's 192/85 and pulse 92 , I understand the diastolic is the important reading so am not concerned. It's a beautiful XXXXXXX spring morning and I shall rest. I assume the rheumatologist has seen the blood test results and isn't concerned . They are repeated with my usual INR in 2 weeks.
I appreciate your wise words and will not hesitate to ring the Rheumatologist if I deteriorate before the next testing.
God bless you.
Kind regards
xxxxx-Mary
You are right of course. I have checked the BP a few minutes ago. It's 192/85 and pulse 92 , I understand the diastolic is the important reading so am not concerned. It's a beautiful XXXXXXX spring morning and I shall rest. I assume the rheumatologist has seen the blood test results and isn't concerned . They are repeated with my usual INR in 2 weeks.
I appreciate your wise words and will not hesitate to ring the Rheumatologist if I deteriorate before the next testing.
God bless you.
Kind regards
xxxxx-Mary
Brief Answer:
Maintain blood pressure in normal limits
Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxx-Mary,
Definitely diastolic blood pressure is more important but such a high systolic pressure also needs attention and monitoring. do salt restriction in your diet and regular exercise.
consult your rheumatologist when you feel necessary.
Wish you good health.
Do get back to me with direct query if required.
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Maintain blood pressure in normal limits
Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxx-Mary,
Definitely diastolic blood pressure is more important but such a high systolic pressure also needs attention and monitoring. do salt restriction in your diet and regular exercise.
consult your rheumatologist when you feel necessary.
Wish you good health.
Do get back to me with direct query if required.
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
