Leflunomide

chile168
chile168 Member Posts: 384
edited 21. Jan 2010, 13:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Anyone taken leflunomide? What side affects? How does it improve quality of life? So worried about side effects and risks - read through the internet.

Comments

  • venita
    venita Member Posts: 56
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I will bump up my message for you.

    Venita
  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Venita. How do you bump a message lol? Me is new to this and appreciate all the help
  • lizzie7ne
    lizzie7ne Member Posts: 154
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I take Leflunomide, and have just had the dose increased from 10mg a day to 20mg a day. I also take methotrexate 25 mg a week.

    The side effects I had when first starting it were diarrhea (so they reduced it to 10mg a day and now I have got used to it a bit they are trying the increase again.

    Leflunomide can also increase your blood pressure - you probably will have been told that you should have your BP checked when you go for the blood tests you get when you take Leflunomide.

    In my case Leflunomide has worked well. Previously I took a triple combination of Methotrexate Hydoxyxhloroquite and sulphalazine but they did not control RA. When I started on Leflunomide and MTX my symptoms dramatically improved. They are not as good now since the reduction in the Leflunomide which is why my Rheumy nurse has upped the dose to 20mg which controlled RA.

    Good luck

    lizzie
  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Lizzie, thanks for your reply. It reassure me a bit and pleased to hear is working for you.

    I was originally diagnosed with SLE in 2005, then Fibromyalgia and recently with RA. I also suffer with IBS. My concerns is about the risk of cancer and hepatitis. High blood pressure is prominent in my fathers side and cancer in my mother's. Really struggling what to do. Meant to have gone to the hospital to collect them today but have been really unwell and to some extent have used that as my reason not to collect the prescription. Having said that I am having difficulty sitting down so I would not have been able to have driving in any case.

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