Leflunomide 10mg: I could not tolerate Methotrexate to... - NRAS

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Leflunomide 10mg

azsul profile image
7 Replies

I could not tolerate Methotrexate to manage my RA so was put on Leflunomide 7 months ago. Two weeks after starting, my right eye party turned red with no pain and no steroid drops have helped clear it.

My BP is elevated to just under 140/90.

Has anyone had eye issues when taking Leflunomide?

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azsul profile image
azsul
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7 Replies
AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Leflunomide can affect blood pressure, I'd call your Rheumy nurse for advice.

azsul profile image
azsul in reply to AgedCrone

Thanks will do

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels

As AC says LEF can affect your BP. Mine is usually bob on but I was advised that it would be checked for at least the first 6 weeks (every fortnight with new DMARD bloods) & it did indeed increase. When it started to settle once I went onto monthly bloods my nurse stopped taking it. If yours isn't being checked regularly having been on LEF 7 months definitely report it.

I came off it after it caused neurological symptoms which went after a while. My existing MTX was increased to try to compensate but it's seeming to be losing the battle.

Hope your problems can be resolved.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply to nomoreheels

I lost the battle with Mtx Big Time after 7 years.

After a while I was put on LFL & my BP rocketed...only took BP pill on alternate days, but it also seemed to completely remove my appetite.

I ended up losing a ton of weight ...lost 15 & kg in a couple of months & ended up weighing only 50kg.

So bye bye LFL,& after a suitable clearing out period Hello Rituximab ..since 2016, but I'm wondering if I'm wobbling on that...had my last infusions last month.....& still feeling fluey & achey.

I guess time will tell.

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to AgedCrone

Hope not but everything's crossed. At appointment with SpR a week ago biologics were mentioned as the likely next step for the first time. Not holding my breath though, she'd need the OK from my Rheumy for me to be considered to be put forward & she's been reluctant previously. Who knows what she'd have said though had my appointment been with her. I do like this SpR though, seen her before & I've mentioned Rheumy how good I thought she was. She's hoping once she's qualified she'll remain... will get no argument from me! She's year 5 so another year yet so I hope nothing happens to jinx it.

nablur profile image
nablur

This is the stuff that allows me to be well on mtx. It’s the folonic acid.

I have dry eyes so it probably doesn’t help but the trade off is totally worth it to me.

Yeah I was on it for a while. It can cause diarrhoea IIRC, but the reason I was taken off the drug was it exacerbated the skin infections I was already prone to.

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