DMARDs and Leflunomide

[Gladys911]

I had my 3 monthly check up yesterday and my consultant noted I had not got on well with Methotraxate (kidney problem which he isn't sure is down to MTX). Current suggestion is that if I get further problems while on pred he would try other DMARDS such as Leflunomide. I thought I had seen some comments on this but cannot find it in a posts search. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have a look at related posts… plenty there.

[piglette]

Once you have mentioned Leflunomide in a post you can click on the related tags just below your post for more information.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Now you have posted they are listed under Related Posts.

[Gladys911]

So sorry to have bothered you - I just looked for the meds in the FAQs and couldn't find them, but my eyes are very watery at the moment...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gladys911]

No problem - but it is a good habit to get into to look at the Related Posts after you post a question. It may save you waiting for other replies before getting some info

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Gladys911]

No problem…and as PMRpro has said it’s probably easier to raise a post [so long as it has a relevant title] and you’ll get some related posts to look at. The search option is pretty rubbish at the best of times…😊

[Noni71]

Just in case you don’t find what you’re searching for- I couldn’t tolerate Methotrexate as it played havoc with my liver. I’m now on Leflunomide. Initially it gave me diarrhoea so the rheumatologist decreased my dose to one tablet every other day. That’s working fine for me and am now at 5mg of Prednisolone.

[Oddmanout]

Due to numerous flares (I have PMR and LVV) while reducing Prednisolone I was given Methotrexate. That worked well for a year but further flares meant adding Tocilizumab for 12 months (that is what is allowed by nhs) I felt so much better. When Tocilizumab stopped and after a further year and another flare Leflunomide was added. I had monthly blood tests to monitor the effects and all was well. I now have a blood test every 2 months. I still need to pace myself daily but enjoy my limited abilities provided I rest and take note of my wife's supervision. I always do what I am told

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Oddmanout]

I always do what I am told

Yeah right…🤦🏻‍♀️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

And the band played ...

[valrene]

Methotrexate pushed my liver enzymes up so Rheumy put me on 20mg Leflunomide that was 5 years ago, blood tests every month for the first 3 years, then every 2 months now down to every 3 months blood tests, in all that time I have had no bother with my organs at all. But for the first 6 weeks on Leflunomide I had cramp pains and diarrhoea, had to run to bathroom rather difficult when out. I persevered for the 6 weeks then gradually things improved. Had to go down to 10mg after 3 years as I started getting male boldness, I bought some Biotin supplements my hair grew back after 3 to 4 months. Everyone is different on methotrexate and Leflunomide so you may sail through taking Leflunomide, which I hope you do, but you have to give the drugs time for your body to adapt to the drugs. Last year I tried taking 10mg Leflunomide every other day after 6 months I couldn’t climb the stairs so take 10mg every day again. I had less problems on Leflunomide than I did with steroids, I would rather continue with drugs even if it shortens my life than not being able to enjoy my life. Best of luck.