Leflunomide and the Flu Injection.

My rheumatologist thinks it is time for a change of medication as I have been on Methotrexate for quite a time and am not getting any better and in fact am getting worse all the time. She is prescribing Leflunominde. I have been looking at all the write ups about it and one of them says that you shouldn't have vaccinations while on it. I have already had my flu jab this year so that is alright, but I am wondering if it means that I won't be able to have them anymore.

Does anyone on here have their flu jab while they are on Leflunomide?

[JFlay]

Hi, I found this on NRAS about vaccines

nras.org.uk/immunisation-fo...

[Hidden in reply to JFlay]

Thank you for sending me a link to this information JFlay.

[notsochunky]

I had mine last Friday with on ill effects.

[AgedCrone]

You can only have non live vaccines...which the flu jab is....but probably not a Shingles vaccine ....as the one used by the NHS is a live vaccine. There is a non live one called Shingrix ...presently only available privately.

But do discuss any inoculations with your rheumatologist...many GP’ are not up to speed on what people with AI diseases should have.

[Hidden in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you AgedCrone, at least I have nearly a year before I need to find out for sure about it and who knows if this medication will be the right one for me anyway. Obviously before having another flu injection I would get it checked out by my rheumy or GP or both. x

[bpeal1]

I’ve been on Leflunomide for many years and always had a flu vaccine. Like MXT you shouldn’t have live vaccines but the adult flu vaccine isn’t live (but the children’s nasal one is).

[cathie]

I do, no problem

[Legley]

Hi Holly

I have flu jabs and on leflunomide so far had no reactions and since l have had flu jabs l have been free of colds and flu.

[Pawz4me]

I've had the flu vaccine twice while on leflunomide with no problem. Like others have said, it's not a live virus.

[K3-2]

Hi, I’m also on Leflunomide and had the flu jab last for over 65 with no problems.

[Pamakh]

I've had flu jab, no problem

[nomoreheels]

Check back on the info you’ve read, see if it states that it relates to live attenuated vaccines only. As others have said you can have the flu vaccine annually as long as it's the inactive type, which as a rule is the one we normally have when called for it.

For info my Rheumy asked me to have the pneumococcal vaccine before I started LEF. It just happened to coincide with my drug monitoring bloods & they'd just got their supply of flu vaccine too so had that at the same time.

I do hope that LEF helps.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you nomoreheels, I also hope that Leflunomide helps me as I have been in so much pain and disability for such a long time. I have asked again and again to be tried on something different to Mtx as I have been just getting worse on it instead of better and at last the rheumy has agreed to it. When I see so many posts about people who are doing really well it is very disheartening, in my case, that I am not. Of course, I am pleased for those people who are getting better or even just on a steady keel.

[FattyKat44]

Hi. I’ve been on duo combination of mtx and Leflunominde and have been fine after flu jabs. The only advice is to not have one if you are slightly in flare as the aching all over can get a bit much on top of normal RA aches and pains!

[Hidden]

That sounds like good advice FattyKat. Thank you for replying to me. xx

[Hidden]

Thank you all for your replies and good advice.

[embroy]

I was told by my Rhumotogist that the only vaccine can't take is Yellow fever.,I am taking Leflodomine at the moment, but have to get blood tests done once a month. I am feeling fine with this drug.

[Hidden in reply to embroy]

Thank you for your reply embroy. I am hoping so much that Leflunomide will help me to get at least some of my life back. I am in such pain now and can do so very little. I have got worse every year for the last seven years despite being on Mtx and I have had to fight to get a different drug prescribed to me.

[Hidden]

I have been on Leflunomide for 11 years and have my flu shot every year no problems. The vaccinations you cannot have while on this and other dmards are live (chicken pox, shingles, measles, etc) virus, whereas the flu is an inactive or killed virus safe for us to use. Hope that helps!

[Moses5]

I’ve been on Leflunomide for a good few years now & have had a flu Injection every year, with no side effects at all