Leflunomide User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• sweet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I took this eflunomide drug for my arthritis about 3 years ago. I only took it for 3 months. I stopped it myself after I noticed my hair falling out in clumps and I was becoming very short of breath. I have chronic bronchitis so I went to my pulmonary doctor. He told me I had something called interstitial pulmonary disorder. When I told the nurse practitioner at my arthritis doctor about it, she said that's why they used it because it had no side effects. I told her she needed to do more reading on the subject. I've been on meds for my COPD and so far I'm better in that respect, but my hair has not yet come back in. I'm very upset over it. I should never have taken that medication. It should be taken off the market."

• Sniffer
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Been on Leflunomide for 3 months and still struggle badly with walking. Some weekends I just stay in bed as I find it difficult to get out of bed and when I'm out I walk round like a 90 year old man (I'm 45). My back and legs are covered with psoriasis. I started on 10mg every other day for two weeks then 10mg daily for a month and then 20mg till now. the doctor said he's going to keep me on it for 3 more months as it can take 6 months to work. If it doesn't work he's going to put me on Humira. I was on Methotexate for 9 years but in recent years it was making me feel really sick and had stop taking it."

• Andrea
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started on Leflunomide 10mg for two months and did not notice any differences or side effects. My rheumatologist increased my dosage to 20mg and I have been experiencing debilitating headaches and high blood pressure (156/100) which I never had before. My doctor said to discontinue this drug and today is the third day of not taking it and I still feel terrible. Hopefully, I will feel better soon."

• Madal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medicine did nothing to help with Sjogren's syndrome or other connective tissue issues. The major side effect I had was major loss of hair. Had to stop after 3 months due to such significant hair loss and no positive benefit."

• Piaula
• December 2, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medication has really improved my quality of life one hundred percent. My concern is whether there is a difference in terms of manufacturer. I took Apotex for years, but I guess they discontinued it. I started taking Northstar Rk, and I am not responding so well. I am now experiencing back pains."

• Nicko
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Leflunamide was not good for me, OK for a short while but developed severe nausea and bowel issues not ideal when you commute via train to to work daily. After a ceasing it took me a over a year to come right. My advise stick with the methotrexate."

• Katat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

"I was Dxd with dermatomyositis about nine months ago and Plaquenil wasn't enough, so started MTX (methotrexate) in late spring. I was not able to tolerate the side effects, which made life a nightmare (nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, headache, fatigue, hair loss, blurry vision, etc.). I stuck with it for four months before asking my rheumatologist to move me in a different direction. After coming off MTX, we did a course of prednisone and then ramped up on Arava. MIRACLE! After experiencing serious muscle weakness, mechanic's hands, joint pain and fatigue, I'm at the gym four days a week and now fully able to take on all of life. Have a few minor side effects (most notably headache and nausea), but not enough to keep me down! I LOVE this drug!"

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Stopped the doxycycline because of blue spots on my face and legs,upped the Arava from 10 to 20 mg daily now, am experiencing back pain and stomach pain some headaches also,I think I'll be able to handle all this, nothing left for treatment that insurance will cover, very little arthritis pain"

• Spart...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 31, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I also have to say this drug has been amazing for me, along with Celecoxib (Celebrex) I am perfectly fine. Before I could not button my shirt and really could not do much activities. Now I golf and exercise every day. Wondering if others have seen a significant increase in the price."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had high hopes for this medicine, but aside from not helping my inflammation or pain. I'm experiencing itching, red skin, blisters on my tongue and a lot of my hair falling out. Not sure I can stand the itching til my blood work up in November. Here's hoping the side effects will decrease."

• helen
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA in 2000. Been on a lot of different drugs and combinations. I was on Methotrexate oral for several years and then went to injection from about 2006. After 2 or 3 years on this, I had a reaction where the lining of my lungs became swollen, meaning I had difficulty in breathing. They say it was my body's way of saying I have had enough of that! Then, after trying oral steroids and transfusion, but this did not work very well. Then, about 10 years ago, I was put on Leflunomide and for the first time, I felt a lot of relief and was able to cope a lot more with the everyday struggles of RA. I also take Hydroxychloroquine, which I have been on for about 20 years, and Celebrex. I think I am just about starting to decline after several years of managing quite well, or maybe I am just going through a bad patch. I will give it a month before I complain. Like all of these drugs, what works for one does not work for another, and a lot of it is trial and error."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took 20 mg of this medication about 6 months ago for 10 days. After a few days of taking it, I developed a very itchy rash on my arms, legs, belly, and back. After that, I stopped taking it so I don't know if it would have helped with my RA symptoms. I take allergy medicine everyday to calm it. The rash has remained and has spread more after I was put on blood pressure medication and began using a steroid cream (2 months ago). It has been slowly diminishing since then. I had a blood test to see if the drug was still present. It's there but in small amounts, .018mcg/mL, where .020mcg/mL is considered eliminated. But I can't see how it can be anything else causing the rash because it started right after taking it, is a common side effect, and can remain in the body for a long time. But my rheumatologist, a dermatologist and an allergist are convinced the leflunomide is not the cause of the rash. I'm convinced it is."

• Sujemar
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Following some years of taking methotrexate for RA my doctor switched me to leflunomide at first 10 mg, and then 6 months later to 20 mg daily doses. She says my RA is in remission but my joints still bother me. The biggest problem is severe and explosive diarrhea. I read that this is common in a third of patients taking leflunomide. She cleared me to take loperamide, a common OTC pill for diarrhea, but it doesn't adequately control diarrhea which prevents me from enjoying meals or traveling."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "While leflunomide seemed effective, as did methotrexate, my liver labs shot thru the roof! I've now reacted to those 2, as well as 3 IV infusions as I can't afford the $1700/mo it costs for Humira & the like which unfortunately, when on Disability you can't get into their $10/@ most deductible plans! Why?!!"

• OSano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "2016, I got diagnostics with PsA. I almost had no skin condition but joints were really hurting. I avoid 2 years not taking harsh medication and my condition got worst. July 2018, I started to take Leflunimide 20mg a day. Back then I was so much in pain from small joints (fingers, toes) to big joints (shoulders, wrist elbow, lower back). I was in a bad shape, extreme pain, couldn't sleep, couldn't walk, nor sit on an even an orthopedic recliner chair. I started taking Leflunomide on July11th, exactly 6 weeks after at night I woke up and I had no pain. I though I was dreaming (still brings tears to my eyes). After that I lost my hair, but hair lost stopped and my hair grow back fully (also took folic acid) I have been every grateful to Leflunomide. However, after 2.5 years my pain creeping back, 4 months ago started in my toes, now shoulder and hands in pain, today I woke up having hard time walking. I think my body plateau on Leflunomide. I am quite sad about it. I am 45 years old, female."

• Neat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Diagnosed with RA in Sept of 2021 after ultrasounds of hands and feet as blood work had not shown RA. Took prednisone with methotrexate for a month. Taken off due to feet and ankle swelling. Took either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for continuing pain and trouble sleeping. Taking 10 mg of leflunomide once daily for past week but no relief yet. Hands and feet throbbing and burning. Experiencing nausea and headache in mornings. Assume it’s side effects but going to try to continue until next rheumatologist appointment in 2 weeks. Worried about possible increase in blood pressure, poor liver function, and hair loss. I take 20 mg. (recently upped from 10 mg ) lisonopril for moderate high blood pressure. Diagnosed with morphia since I was 12 yrs old, fibromyalgia at 33, and RA at 69. At 70 now and wondering if I should go to John Hopkins for a complete work up. I am surprised and worried that this drug stays in your system so long and often needs another drug to remove from system."

• mel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My mother has been taking this drug for some time. At first, she had great results and all the pain went away then all of a sudden she suffered from some massive side effects and ended up in a and e. She has lost blood and is now in the intensive care unit. After days of tests, we were told her symptoms are related to this drug. It should be put on the blacklist."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have rheumatoid arthritis and my doctor prescribe me leflunmide and 2.5mg of Prednisone and I take every other day because I feel like I'm better without this medicine. I told my doctor I don't feel good with this but drug and I feel worse she told me it not leflunmide make you feel bad and say I had better take something. But this drug I feel is not good, and it has a black box warning. Why are they still prescribe this drug?"

• TX Gal
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Be aware of any symptoms that you may have while on this medication. Report them to your doctor as soon as you can and pay attention to your body. My rheumatologist prescribed leflunomide after no success with MTX, Sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, and Humira. While on this drug, I developed terrible side effects including tingling/numbness in my feet and hands, high blood pressure (never experienced before), extreme weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, ringing in the ears, increased back pain (which lead to another surgery), 2 ruptured Achilles tendons (surgeries pending) and continuous tearing/shredding feeling at joints, loss of sensation and motor function in my lower extremities including sexual dysfunction and incontinence, severe hair loss, heart palpitations (diagnosed as SVTs), severe muscle cramps, difficulty swallowing, vision changes, and diarrhea/stomach issues among other things. Once it was discovered I had leflunomide toxicity, I did a cholestyramine flush. It's over 2 years and I have had minimal improvement."

• 03mom...
• April 20, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After taking Leflunomide for 5 weeks I broke out with a skin rash under my arms & around my waist, stomach and my arms. My Doctor advised me to discontinue the meds. I see him today to see what I do next. I took prednisone the first 4 weeks with it and had no problems. I also woke up in the mornings with a slight headache that went away shortly after getting up."

• RASuf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Lefluminide made me extremely tired and it made my beautiful hair fall out. It has taken so long for it to grow back. Also, I got pneumonia after I started taking it with Humira. My hands were less swollen but I was still in a lot of pain from swollen joints."

• RakshaB
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "On a leflunomide daily dosage of 20 mg. It caused chronic GI upset: diarrhea and gastritis It did relieve RA symptoms, but I felt sick for 8 months. Endoscopy revealed gastritis I would not recommend this drug"

• TeresaP
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Have tried so many other RX's from pills to injections and I finally have decent relief of Psoriatic Arthritis symptoms with Leflunomide 20mg 1 a day! FYI I'm also on Benlysta injection 200mg 1 a week, treatment for my Lupus SLE. This combination has given me decent relief from symptoms of both autoimmune diseases! Haven't had to take steroids for any flares for about 12 weeks now!"

• Saltio
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2014

Arava (leflunomide) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Not ONLY the pain from rheumatoid arthritis - Arava made my hair fall out, lump in esophagus, and chronic throat infection."

• Hettiel
• July 22, 2011

Arava (leflunomide) for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Arava for almost 2 years. I have recently developed very high blood pressure and I'm not sure if Arava is the cause of it. We have picked up that it increased my cholesterol."