Side effects of Leflunomide?

[DenMum]

Having been on Sarilumab since March 2022, the effects started to wane and my Rheumy thinks I have developed antibodies to it. So he has added Leflunomide on top, since April 2023. It seems to be doing the trick and I haven't had any flares since but there are a couple of side effects which I wondered were common:

Increase in small sebatious cysts particulalry on my face.

Redness and increased sensitivity on the ends of my fingers and toes - which my Rheumy doesn't think is related even though the timing coincides.

Just wondered whether anyone else has experienced the same.

Thanks

[ruth_p]

I didn’t have any side effects from leflunomide. Sorry that’s probably not helpful. It does lower your immune system though which could cause more spots.

[Bookworm55 in reply to ruth_p]

I didn’t have any side effects but no positive effects either! I’m still on 10mg Leflunomide along with sulfasalazine but my rheumatologist has added a biosimilar which seems to be helping me a lot so far.

[DenMum in reply to ruth_p]

Thanks so much for replying. Glad to know that there seem to be few major side effects and once again I am reminded how different we all are.

[DenMum in reply to ruth_p]

Thanks Ruth. Hope you are well.

[bpeal1]

I’ve not had any side effects from Leflunomide either. However, we are all different and react differently to different medications.

[DenMum in reply to bpeal1]

Thanks bpeal1. You are right. We are all so different.

[SheilaT3271]

I was put on Leflunomide last year in addition to Etanercept that I was already on but I took myself off it when I realised it had been suppressing my appetite and had lost quite a bit of weight that I can’t afford to lose. Didn’t have any other side affects.

[DenMum in reply to SheilaT3271]

Thanks for your response. I hope things have settled with other meds. We are all so different aren't we.