Leflunomide and Prednisolone is any one taking it. How are the side effects?

[ballyboy]

I'm a 65 year old lady. Worried about taking this combination of tablets. Can anyone advise me?

[Hidden]

Hey there, I am on 10mg Leflunomide and 5mg Prednisolone (also on Simponi, an anti-tnf) and I have no problems with the drugs. I did have issues with the steriods at a higher dose though, like hyperactivity, mood swings, irritablity, tearfulness, night sweats and a salty taste in my mouth. I did not gain weight but that can be an issue for many people on steroids. How much will you be taking?

For the Leflunomide it's very important to regularly check blood pressure and avoid excess salt and anything else that can affect blood pressure. With the steroids, it's important to watch blood sugar as it can sometimes be increased.

As with most RA drugs, reducing alcohol consumption to help the liver cope with the meds better is a good idea.

I hope this helps a bit

Take care, Christine xx

[Hidden]

Everyone in this forum is probably keeping the pharma industry in business with all our meds combined At one point I had to take about 20 tablets daily lol, thank goodness I'm down to 4!!

You'll be having blood tests regularly as well to monitor progress and side effects, so if there should be anything wrong they'll notice fairly quickly! xx

[oldtimer]

My sister is on this combination - although her rheumy has just added methotrexate as well to this combination to try and make it possible for her to reduce the rather high dose of steroids that she is on.

She started on the steroids at a high dose because she had Giant Cell Arteritis with loss of vision and a diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Because her joint symptoms became worse (and she has a sister, me with a diagnosis of RA) she was started on leflunomide as well about two years ago now. She has regular blood tests to check the level of inflammation and also to check for any damage to her blood, kidneys or liver.

[bimini]

I'm a month into introducing 10mg leflunomide. It has been added to my cocktail of sulfasa, planquil and am currently at 15mg pred. To be honest I'm not sure what side effects come from anything anymore but I have been in an awful flare for over 2 months and am just taking whatever they tell me to now and trying really hard to trust them. I supose if there were any side effects that affected by daily life I would be challenging them but my daily life has become so limited, its just how it is. I am optimistic that I will settle though. Hope you get on ok with them too.

[ballyboy]

Thank you all for your replys 'I am not to bad at the moment i do not know if leflunomide is doing me any good.

[ballyboy]

Was at hospital to BP sky high so i had to come off leflunomidei am so worried .What next.Do not want to go up on pred again .

[2malinka]

Hi Ballyboy,

Personally, I don't take prednisolone as whenever I have taken these drugs I get very breathless and flushed. I also have an awful reaction to ventolin, However, as well as severe COPD, I have also developed pulmonary hypertenson, so I may not have your problems. I find that controlled breathing works for me. I do take symbicort and Spiriva, also I am on 1 litre oxygen virtually 24/7 and use a Bi-Pap at night as I am a CO2 retainer. Hope this helps.

Take care

Malinka