Leflunamide

[Cheylann]

Good morning,

I've been diagnosed with PsA and been on mtx 15mg injections for 8 months. No noticeable change.

Rheumy wants me to try leflunamide now but I'm not happy as I have stomach problems due to a burst stomach ulcer so need to be careful.

Anyone have experience of this drug and if so was it of any use.

Advice much appreciated.

[Haz58]

Everyone's different as you know. I have stomach problems and my stomach didn't like leflunamide at all. Mind you they started me on a small dose but after 2 weeks a nurse told me to double it and then when I got ill I was told she shouldnt have told me that as they wanted to up the dose very gradually because of my stomach. So who knows I may have been ok if she hadn't told me to do that.

[hazelcats]

Hi I'm interested in this too,been taking a look at older posts of this med. MTX is causing gastric problems for me, ( have ibs and hiatus hernia ) getting worse and no difference to pain and stiffness. My hands are so bad.Can't start it Until my appt in late September so am stuck on mtx until then.

Hoping leflunomide will settle this all down too. Hope it works out well for you.

Just re-read rheumy message. My Sept appt is for my follow up with consultant. Looks like I will be having another nurse appt to consult with before switching to leflunamide.

[Sebastian247 in reply to hazelcats]

Hi there. I've just been switched to Lef, from mtx. Not started taking it yet (just waiting for post covid cough to subside) but once I do I'd be happy to share experiences.

Seb.

[hazelcats in reply to Sebastian247]

Thanks so much, I expect I will be in touch. I will need a nurse appt to talk it over and probably the usual checks first. Hoping like you this might be the one that improves things.Well done for keeping pushing for your own med changes the is again

Good.luck when you commence x

[Beata0102]

Hi Cheylann. I also have PsA and since December I have been taking Methotrexate and Leflunomide together. It doesn't help me at all. I feel good, but my joints still swell.

[ruth_p]

I found leflunomide really good and I didn’t have any side effects from it but I didn’t have any stomach problems before starting it.

[smilelines]

leflunimide was fine for me. I hope they don’t want you to take leflunimide and methotrexate as both are hard on the liver.

[Cheylann in reply to smilelines]

Did it help your pain and stiffness.

[smilelines in reply to Cheylann]

Yes. It worked quite well although eventually I had to be put on a biologic as well.