Choice between Sulfasalazine and leflunomide

pigeon
pigeon Member Posts: 11
in Living with arthritis

Having tried and failed with methotrexate (terrible side effects with mental health and all the others as well) Ive now been offered a choice between these two different drugs, but no guidance as to which might worksbest for me.

I'm seronegative RA, age 50, I don't drink, I don't want to lose my hair, and my biggest overall challenges are not the RA but my complex PTSD, so being able to stay mentally positive and able to exercise on medication are really important to me.

Any thoughts? 🤔

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 462

    Afternoon @pigeon

    I do not have any personal experience but the following links maybe of interest …….

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/sulfasalazine/

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/leflunomide/

    Regards @Naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • MrDJ
    MrDJ Member Posts: 318

    Ive been on sulfasalazine for 38 years. they started me on 6 a day and said it was short term. turned out it wasnt as i was on them from 1985-2000 until i was offered Methotrexate and anti TNF infusion.

    from 2001 they dropped the sulfasalazine to 2 a day and started 20mg of methotrexate and ive been on that dose ever since.

    To be honest its very difficult to say if we have any side effects from a certain drug as im taking so many others but i dont think i had any side effects from the sulfasalazine except as it says it turns your pee bright yellow/orange.

    Up until 2 months ago where i had a cancer scare and after a endoscopy they said i was clear of the big c but had gut rot and needed to stop the nsaid Froben anti inflamatory which id been on as well since 1985.

    Never had Leflunomide so cant comment on that one.

    Hope whichever you decide to try works for you and gives some relief.

  • pigeon
    pigeon Member Posts: 11

    Thanks @MrDJ and @Naomi33 for your inout

    My research continues, but I wrote to the consultant today to say I would try sulfasalazine.

    I guess if it doesn't work I may then try Leflunamide...

  • Woofy
    Woofy Member Posts: 360
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62985/choice-between-sulfasalazine-and-leflunomide

    Hi.
    I have been taking Leflunomide for 9 weeks along with Methotrexate injections.
    no problems as of yet. Sulfasalzine did nothing for me when I took it.

  • mosborn11
    mosborn11 Member Posts: 49

    I took sulfasalazine for three months, the stomach pain was quite bad at the beginning but after a while I basically had no bad side effects. Unfortunately it actually had no effects at all so I've switched medication 😂. But it wasn't a bad experience per se. I'm now on Methotrextate and the side effects are much more pronounced.

  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 31

    Hi, I wondered if you have started the new medication and how you are feeling?

  • BeccaStevo
    BeccaStevo Member Posts: 2

    I tried sulfasalazine for about a month and lost nearly 9kg (that plus coming off steroids making me feel sick) over the space of a couple of months. It made my stomach so sore and I was so nauseous on them

  • pigeon
    pigeon Member Posts: 11

    Hi, thank you for all the comments.

    @Cara123 I finally got the medication yesterday, I went for Sulfasalazine, and I was going to start it maybe tomorrow night? It seems the first tablet is supposed to be at night?

    Any tips for when to take, and in combination with what?

    I'm sorry you guys have had trouble with stomach pain, that does not sound good .

  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 31

    Hi @pigeon - good luck with the Sulfasalazine. I might also have to change medication from Methotrexate, so I am following this with interest.

  • MrDJ
    MrDJ Member Posts: 318

    @pigeon

    i take one in the morning after a bowl of cereal and one at around 5pm after food.

    good luck and keep us posted, hope it works for you.

  • julie246
    julie246 Member Posts: 1

  • pigeon
    pigeon Member Posts: 11
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725137#Comment_725137

    I took the first tablet very last night and all is good so far. The Methotrexate floored me immediately, so I'm pleased that a little heartburn, tiny headache and taking a bit longer to falls asleep is all to report.

    Ill take it earlier this evening, and hope that helps with a couple of those things.

  • Cara123
    Cara123 Member Posts: 31

    Hi @pigeon - that is good to hear, keep us posted how you get on!

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