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drug_recall aravaRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the lining of the joints and sometimes other internal organs in an individual''s joints. The severity of the joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis varies, but rheumatoid arthritis can affect the entire body. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis so treatment methods to relieve the pain and inflammation and stopping joint destruction is an important part of managing rheumatoid arthritis patients. Most often, rheumatoid arthritis affects people''s hands or feet.
The earlier rheumatoid arthritis is identified in an individual the better. Caught early, there is a better chance of controlling rheumatoid arthritis with early treatment methods. Previously, methotrexate was predominantly used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but in 1998, Arava (lenflunomide) was FDA approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well. The FDA stated at the time of approval that Arava was not a more effective medication for rheumatoid arthritis patients but that the approval of it provided more treatment options. The death rate is 33 times higher when using Arava than when using methotrexate.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often include inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain, as well as other symptoms. Over 2 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and while Arava was approved to provide more treatment options for those suffering since 1998, there has been up to 22 deaths in addition to 130 cases of severe liver problems associated to the rheumatoid arthritis drug. In addition, the life-threatening autoimmune disease Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported in Arava users.
While early treatment is often critical for a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer, Arava has prompted such concern due to its'' link to death and other serious conditions that Public Citizen consumer watchdog group petitioned the FDA to immediately recall Arava on March 28, 2002. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects people between the ages of 25-50, differing from many other forms of arthritis in that most other forms afflict older generations. Seeking the proper treatment method is important with rheumatoid arthritis. If you are currently taking Arava, it is advised to see your doctor to evaluate what other treatment options you may benefit from.
When FDA medical reviewer David Graham told lawmakers during a congressional hearing on the recall of Vioxx that drugs require stricter safety evaluations, he didn''t stop there. Graham named five other drugs currently on the market that he belie...