Leflunomide - any info. on this

englishrose

I have had two assessments , hoping to be put on Anti-TNF. My score was 6.33. But no, they are now going to try leflunomide. I have looked on line and some of the possible side effects look nasty.
If any one does or has taken this now did you get on. Also if you were of hydroxycloroquine (?spelling) did they stop this?
Thenks for any feed back.
Jane

scattered

Leflunomide worked wonders for my RA, put me in a 2 month remission with hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone. Unfortunately I had bad side-effects from it and had to be taken off it: it tore up my gut.

I know of people who can take it with no problems. It''s a bit like MTX in that respect. I tried both before I was put on Humira.

I started hydroxy. when I was put on leflunomide and I've not been off it since. I don;t know if it's doing anything but it's part of the cocktail now and every doctor seems reluctant to take me off it. I guess, it can't be doing any harm!

Wonkylegs

englishrose wrote:

I have had two assessments , hoping to be put on Anti-TNF. My score was 6.33. But no, they are now going to try leflunomide. I have looked on line and some of the possible side effects look nasty.
If any one does or has taken this now did you get on. Also if you were of hydroxycloroquine (?spelling) did they stop this?
Thenks for any feed back.
Jane

HI Jane,

I starte on Leflunomide a few months ago, when it was added to my Methotrexate. I know what you mean about worrying about the side effects, but it is worse having the disease out of control I think, so i tend to give them a try and see how I get on. As people have said, it depends so much on each individual as to how they affect us re side effects etc.

My experience has been mainly positive. The main disadvangtage I found with the Leflunomide for the first couple of weeks was a decidedly dodgy tummy - when I needed to go I REALLY needed to go :oops: :oops: :oops: but I found that this got less of a problem after a few weeks. I had my dose increased to 20mg and then I found that my MTX and the Higher Lefl. dose were too much, so I have missed them for quite a few weeks now, whilst I get over repeated infections. What I have found is that as the Leflunomide stays in our systems for longer than the MTX then I have not noticed the missed Leflunomide as much as I have noticed the missed MTX, and I think I prefer the Leflunomide to the MTX at the moment!

good luck if you start it and it will be interesting to know how you get on.

suncatcher

Im on laflunamide and i have the dodgy tum bit in a morning only not too bad . I feel so much ter an it has made an anormouse differance and ive passsed my trial period and have to visit hospital less now and it is controling old arther for now so im please. I have not read up on side effects of this one but i feel more happy on this one it suits me anyway. joanne