Leflunomide

[ladyelizajane]

Hi folks, I was diagnosed with RA in September 2017. Methotrexate and Sulfasalazine did not work for me with unpleasant side effects. I have been doing alright on Hydroxychloroquine though had to adjust the dose to 200mg/400mg alternate days. Just over the last couple of weeks, my knee has swollen up quite badly and hip is very painful causing me very limited mobility. I saw a Doctor at the Rheumatology Clinic who said there was a lot of fluid in my knee and he was going to inject into it, but the nurse had the injections so just sent me the nurse to get the general steroid injection, not in the knee, anyway it didn't work, still hobbling around in pain. He has advised me to go on Leflunomide, it looks a bit similar to Methotrexate that did not agree with me. I am a bit nervous going on it, any experience on Leflunomide from anyone.

[KittyJ]

If you type leflunomide into the search box and filter the search for NRAS all the posts regarding leflunomide will come up. I hope it works for you 😊

[ladyelizajane in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you

[Brushwork]

I had unpleasant and worrisome side effects on Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine and then started on Leflunomide. It worked and was fine for a few months but then the side effects started to build up. It is a drug that builds up in the body and takes a while to wash out when you stop taking it, so sometimes the side effects do the same.

I have a friend who takes it and has no problems at all, and it works.

Another one of those things that are fine for some and not so much for others...

[ladyelizajane in reply to Brushwork]

Thanks for your reply, I will have to try it and see,.

[nomoreheels]

In common with all DMARDs unfortunately you don't know until you try. It was the fourth one I tried, I've been fortunate enough to remain on MTX 10 years now (subcut for 9) but with not being able to increase the dose above 20mg I needed something extra after HCQ & SSZ failed. I was ok on LEF for a good few weeks but started with neurological problems in hands, legs & feet so had to stop it. It is a known side effect but as with all things med-wise again it's a try & see situation.

A common side effect is it raising your BP which I also had but it was checked at every fortnightly blood test (new drug monitoring) & did settle back to my normal good reading. Just ensure the nurse who does your drug monitoring bloods takes yours. My Rheumy also requested I had the pneumococcal vaccine prior to starting LEF.

I hope you don't have any side effects or if you do they're tolerable.

[ladyelizajane in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you

[nomoreheels in reply to ladyelizajane]

You're welcome.

[Hidden]

I am taking Leflunomide and MTX together. IThe only side effect I have with Leflunomide is that my blood pressure has raised so I now take tablets for that. I'm currently on a low dose of MTX so no sside effects with that. But I feel I either need a higher dose of MTX or a change of meds. Don't know what my rheumy will say as I'm taking MTX for Vasculitis, not RA.