Leflunomide and thin hair

[Legley]

Hi all

Im taking leflunomide 20 mg and have noticed hair has gone limp and thin also nails gone brittle and splitting. Can l take folic acid daily to help with this.

[medway-lady]

No I take LEF and no need to take Folic Acid, but it might be worth asking the GP if you think it will help. I believe its not useful with LEf as it is with MTX so would be interesting to find out why. MTX made my hair fall out but LEF has not affected it. Strange how these meds affect everybody so differently albeit relieving pain or making the hair fall out. x

[Amy_Lee]

I am with leflunomide 20 mg since 3 1/2 years ago. I did have some side effects including hair thinning, rashes, itchiness and so on. However, all these subside except once in a while the rashes will come back for a short while and they will go off again until today.

The itchiness and hair thinning subsided I think after about 2 years.

Amy

[oldtimer]

A good source of advice on drug interactions is the pharmacist if that's what you were concerned about.

[LadyJan]

Yes, it made my hair much thinner and I had upset tummy often. Eventually I was taken off it for the latter on Mtx so hair still thin I take folic acid cos of Mtx but was not given it for leflonomide. No harm in asking. I think all these drugs reduce hair thickness.

Ladyjan

[shareasmile]

Leflunomide and Methotrexate dried me up everywhere--hair, nails, mouth, skin and well, everywhere! My hair was brittle and breaking and falliing out. Leflunomide was also toxic to my liver. Not everyone suffers the same side effects, but I'm glad to be on something else now.

[Legley]

Thank you for all your replies.

Going to ask gp to see if it will help.

Leflunomide is starting to affect joints so dont really want to stop taking it.

[LD1954]

I would check with your doctor as folic acid 5mg once a week is usually prescribed with RA medication.

[VeronicaF]

I brought that up when I was on the S one but hey said folic acid was only to be taken with the M one