Lefluamide

[Perrierhalffullgirl]

Hi

Been on Lefluamide for 9 months (with Benipali) and it has been great - been able to walk again and go to the gym! but recently my blood pressure has been going very high - has anyone else experienced this? it is listed on the side effects leaflet but dreading coming off as that means waiting months for something else to kick in.

[Neonkittie17]

There’s another thread from a couple of days ago on here with some people/members who have a lot of experience of Leflunomide. I was only on it one week. Hopefully someone will answer you re the high BP but do tell your rheumy team as they won’t want to take you off it if it can be avoided. Hope all goes well.

[Perrierhalffullgirl in reply to Neonkittie17]

thanks so much - felt so down to think I might have to change drugs again but hate to be on more drugs! never ending isnt it.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Perrierhalffullgirl]

I hope you can soon speak with your rheumy team re monitoring and treating the BP. 💗

[rosieglows]

Hi there

I too had an increase in BP with leflunomide. Rheumy did tell me it could happen so needed to monitor. She also said that if it did increase, most likely the BP would be treated rather than taking me off leflunomide. I am now taking amlodopine as well and it’s come right down. Great drug and no side effects for me.

Please do tell your rheumy/gp

[Perrierhalffullgirl in reply to rosieglows]

thanks - really helpful. glad you didnt get anymore side effects too to keep on leflunoamide

[marie66]

I did and went on Ramipril to combat it. M x

[Hidden]

It's most likely that you are getting all of this improvement from the Benpali. When you are on a biological such as Benpali they do usually prescribe a DMARD (in your case leflunomide) and it is there to slow any chance of developing antibodies against the biological which would stop it working. Switching to a different DMARD should not be a problem

[Mmrr]

Yes, I'm on Leflunomide andhave high BP which I take antihypertensives for. My rheumatologist said he didn't think Leflunomide was adding anything to my RA treatment and advised me to stop it (I take Filgotinib too). I did stop and had a return of extreme fatigue and aches, so I started again to see what happened, and the fatigue and aches settled. I need to contact them soon for further advice.