Leflunomide User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Hol...
• November 30, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have only been on this medication for about 1 month. It is November 2019. I have so far immediately experienced lots of hair loss, my IRA to be worse now than it has ever been, even before I was ever treated with anything for rheumatoid arthritis. I am also experiencing lots of other sore areas, like my shoulder, neck, arm, back of my legs, and thighs, and they aren't necessarily joint pains, more like a muscle tissue type of soreness, but just popped up out of nowhere for no reason. I definitely believe it's all connected somehow. Right now, the soreness in my left arm, shoulder, and neck is so bad I cannot lift my arm by itself without my other arm holding it to reach up over my head. I've never had this problem before. Definitely going to be calling the doctor Monday."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had taken medication for approximately 10 days. A week into it, I experienced severe weakness, high blood pressure, dizziness, and numbness/tingling to the right side of my face. After a few hours, it passed. Then, 5 days later, my BP was stroke-high, I couldn't walk, and my head felt like it was going to pop. I was hospitalized for symptoms. They said it's just a migraine! Not!!! Finally, the doctor listened and gave me medication to get it out of my system."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 7, 2015

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Leflunomide for over two years, and I tolerate it well, unlike Methotrexate. Good control of inflammation and pain, and blood work is okay. Doesn't seem to interfere with my ability to fight a cold or heal a wound."

• Dia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 8, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was taking it for 8 months, and I started having a funny feeling in my arms about 4 months in, which I reported, but the doctor did not think it was a concern. Over the next 3 months, I started to have more weakness in my arms and then what I would describe as internal vibrations. I have just stopped taking the drug and hope the vibrations stop before too long."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Following on from my previous post, I have to report my husband lost his fight for his life. He passed away on 16th Dec 2020. I cannot prove that Leflunomide was the cause, but it certainly contributed to it. Yes, we found out his COPD had gotten worse, but the escalation of his deterioration was alarming, and I can only point to one thing: Leflunomide. I urge all RA sufferers to think and think again before taking it, especially if you have COPD and are taking METHOTREXATE and were or are a smoker. This is a dangerous drug, be very, very cautious."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took this medication for just under 3 months. It seemed to help a little the first month, but not much. I had some serious side effects and went off the medication: short of breath when going up a flight of stairs to the point I could not talk, high blood pressure (200/100) and needed to go on medications, muscle spasms and weakness to the point I could not stand long enough to load my dishwasher due to back pain/spasms, burning nerve pain in my arms and legs which could paralyze me in pain: especially upon getting up after sitting, easy bruising: had very dark bruises all over, but the worst was spontaneously getting a small hematoma on my buttocks which caused sciatica and I had to get shots... that happened twice. I went off and noticed a significant difference in a couple of days and the pain and other symptoms subsided, but is far from gone."

• Fox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed a year ago in December. I started on Methotrexate (initially supplemented with prednisone). This combination worked well, I regained almost full ROM, and most pain was gone. After 5 months on this, I developed constant daily nausea, vomiting, then dizziness, mouth sores, tinnitus (which I still have 4 months after discontinuing the drug), and liver damage. I went off this, fought with my ins. company for 4 months, and finally went on Leflunomide 2 weeks ago. In the last 2 days, I have now developed even more severe mouth ulcers, nausea, vomiting, chills and flu symptoms, and am becoming increasingly dizzy as the days progress. I stopped taking this yesterday. The pain of RA is severe, but the treatment has been so much worse."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I found that after taking this medication for 12 months, it helped with the arthritis, but unbeknownst to all of us were the silent side effects. My experience was awful. Suddenly, I broke out with skin ulcers that hurt badly and act like burn blisters on your hands and feet."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am 66 yrs and was treated with Methotrexate 15 mg weekly and folic acid daily, and intermittent steroids, but a year later, joints started again on this treatment. Doc added Leflunomide 20 mg daily (which worked in 2 weeks), and I've been on it for 18+ months. My bloods were normal 2 months ago. Have to keep an eye on my blood pressure. Both Methotrexate and Leflunomide cause a loose bowel, which I put up with. I am taking 2 tabs of folic acid, i.e., 10 mg daily, as it seems to be better for dry mouth and skin. Sometimes I take 5 mg prednisone for a few days when I've got finger, etc., swelling from overdoing things. I tried a break from the Leflunomide (continuing Methotrexate), and noticed joint symptoms returning in a week. I am satisfied with this treatment and am in remission."

• Ang...
• December 9, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is not about me but my husband. He is fighting for his life in ICU. He started Leflunomide in July 2020 on a dose of 10 mg, which was increased to 20 mg after a month. At the end of August 2020, he started having violent diarrhea. We questioned it with his nurses and were told, as he'd been okay for the first weeks, 'It wasn't the drug causing his problems.' So the GP organized a bowel cancer check and colonoscopy, which proved negative. Then he started coughing on Nov 9, 2020. Checked for Covid, negative. A&E on Nov 22, out with strong antibiotics, then ambulance call at 6 am on Nov 26, in hospital on oxygen, which didn't help. He was transferred to ICU on December 1 and ventilated on December 6. They started the 'washout' last week. Still a few days to go. We are praying it will work. My warning to everyone: Do not take Leflunomide, it is dangerous."

• roc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2020

Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Have been using Arava and Methotrexate for many years now for RA. I take a folic acid tablet with it, it has been very helpful, and I have had no side effects. I seem to have had a flare-up recently and am not sure if it was from moving and doing a lot of the packing and unpacking. Trying Prednisone now to see if it helps with the pain. If not, my doctor wants to try Xeljanz XR. Not sure I want that, anyone out there with any help?"

• Els...
• March 30, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "OMG... finally a drug that works. My hair is not as thin as it was on methotrexate, and my body is back to feeling 30 again. Even though I’ve had this god-awful depressive disease since I was 23, I’m in my forties and have felt like an invalid for as long as I can remember. Then, after 8 weeks of this drug, I can run, dance, actually open a jar, and button my own shirts. I feel so happy. I am a very healthy eater, as I have had IBS for years as a result of the disease, so my liver function is good. My blood count was low, so I had to up it with low-dose prednisone, but it is so much better than having too high white blood count, which makes you so sore, inflamed, and the brain fog was so life-sucking. I couldn’t understand how I could eat so well, walk, swim, and still feel so horrible. Turns out this miracle drug can make you feel human. I did a strict detox before starting on this drug, so I could start my body with a clean slate. The rheumatologist doesn’t tell you this."

• Cen...
• January 14, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been using Leflunomide since July 2007. It took 3 months for it to become effective, but I have been pain-free since then! Wonderful! BUT, I have developed chronic urinary tract infections -- 12 in the last two years. My urologist is exasperated and has about exhausted his bag of tricks; daily Macrodantin (antibiotic) for over a year helped for a few months at a time, but I'm now resistant to that. I only take 10 mg leflunomide and really hate to think of doing without it, but my bladder is important too. I'm going to ask the rheumatologist this week about cutting the dosage in half."

• 70k...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took Leflunomide for 5 weeks, and I have broken out in the most awful rash you could imagine. My forearms are red as fire. I broke out with the rash under my arms, but it has not slowed down. I stopped taking the meds 5 days ago, and the rash on my arms is still terrible. I do not know how long it will take for the medication to get out of my system. I just know this is the most awful rash I have ever had."

• DrD...
• March 23, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started this drug 6 weeks ago. Developed headache within days and a productive cough. 3 days ago, developed vomiting and a severe headache, worse headache I have ever had in all 59 years of my life. Debilitating. Excruciating pain. Went to the ER during the episode. Nobody knew what to do. They told me my doctors didn't call them back! I don't believe that. After giving me Ativan and morphine with Zofran chaser. CT of head normal and blood work normal, they sent me home. I can't get up without it coming back. I don't know the medication which was working, now I want the massive headache, migraine really, to go away! I won't ever take this drug again! Worse feeling next to MRSA in my bloodstream, while on Remicade therapy back in 2008!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I went on this drug in November 2017 (0.20 mg), and the biggest side effect at first was diarrhea, which was tolerable. My skin cleared up 100%, as well as any joint pain, and I thought I had found my miracle drug. But after 4-5 months, I now have nausea, have lost 10 pounds, all I want to do is sleep, and I am emotionally in a very dark place. My rheumatologist doesn't think it's the leflunomide, but I feel as badly as I did when I went on methotrexate, (which I couldn't tolerate). The symptoms are the same. So I went off of the leflunomide a week ago, but still no relief from side effects. Does anyone know how long it takes for this drug to get out of one's system?"

• TX ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Be aware of any symptoms that you may have while on this medication. Report them to your doctor as soon as you can, and pay attention to your body. My rheumatologist prescribed leflunomide after no success with MTX, sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, and Humira. While on this drug, I developed terrible side effects including tingling/numbness in my feet and hands, high blood pressure (never experienced before), extreme weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, ringing in the ears, increased back pain (which led to another surgery), 2 ruptured Achilles tendons (surgeries pending), and a continuous tearing/shredding feeling at joints, loss of sensation and motor function in my lower extremities, including sexual dysfunction and incontinence, severe hair loss, heart palpitations (diagnosed as SVTs), severe muscle cramps, difficulty swallowing, vision changes, and diarrhea/stomach issues among other things. Once it was discovered I had leflunomide toxicity, I did a cholestyramine flush. It's been over 2 years, and I have had minimal improvement."

• lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 13, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on leflunomide for about 16 years. It has kept me from having crippling side effects as seen in some RA patients. I am getting older (79) and am getting a few issues and just concerned about someone my age taking this drug. It has been wonderful for me as my blood work has always been good with just a few small issues."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2018

Leflunomide for Rheumatoid Arthritis "One year on Arava so far. Has greatly improved joint pain. The side effects I have noticed are some skin lesions, thinning eyebrows, migraine headache increase, and elevated liver enzymes. It has given me back movement, which is important for overall health. I will take the side effects compared to ruined joints for now. I did have liver enzymes normal a week after steroid shop for a bad headache. I would think the medication could reduce swelling in the liver."

• lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Worst experience in my life. The pain before I started this was at least bearable. Now I can barely move or walk and bruise very easily. And that was only after a couple of days of taking 1 10 mg tablet per day. Doctor changed to one every other day and I have the same problem. Was taking this for psoriatic arthritis and calcium buildup, but I can't bear the pain."

• Jan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Arava 20 mg a day for ten years for my mixed tissue connective disease. I am pain-free! It has made my blood pressure go up a bit, but medicine takes care of that. I also get heartburn from the medicine, but omeprazole takes care of that. All in all, it is an amazing medicine that has given me back my quality of life."

• hur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Leflunomide has been the only med that I am able to tolerate as I am the queen of side effects. If there is one to be had, I will have it. My first time on Leflunomide was at 20 mg/day. After a few months, the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were ridiculous, and I had to stop. At that point, I had lost about 15 pounds. After a couple of months off, I started again at 10 mg/day. It took 3 months to get to the extreme nausea and another 6-8 pounds off. I stopped about 2 weeks ago. I am able to eat now, but nausea persists (not as severe). Since this seems to be the only drug I can handle, I will consider restarting yet again but need a breather first."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This was the worst medication I have ever taken in my life. I took it for 4 weeks when the violent vomiting and diarrhea began and lasted for 8 hours. Doc said to stop taking it. Vomiting stopped, still have the diarrhea the next day. I have never in my life been so sick from a medication. Now we move on to Humira."

• Sni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Been on leflunomide for 3 months and still struggle badly with walking. Some weekends, I just stay in bed as I find it difficult to get out of bed, and when I'm out, I walk around like a 90-year-old man (I'm 45). My back and legs are covered with psoriasis. I started on 10 mg every other day for two weeks, then 10 mg daily for a month, and then 20 mg till now. The doctor said he's going to keep me on it for 3 more months as it can take 6 months to work. If it doesn't work, he's going to put me on Humira. I was on methotrexate for 9 years, but in recent years, it was making me feel really sick and had to stop taking it."

• hel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA in 2000. Been on a lot of different drugs and combinations. I was on Methotrexate oral for several years and then went to injection from about 2006. After 2 or 3 years on this, I had a reaction where the lining of my lungs became swollen, meaning I had difficulty in breathing. They say it was my body's way of saying I have had enough of that! Then, after trying oral steroids and transfusion, but this did not work very well. Then, about 10 years ago, I was put on Leflunomide and for the first time, I felt a lot of relief and was able to cope a lot more with the everyday struggles of RA. I also take Hydroxychloroquine, which I have been on for about 20 years, and Celebrex. I think I am just about starting to decline after several years of managing quite well, or maybe I am just going through a bad patch. I will give it a month before I complain. Like all of these drugs, what works for one does not work for another, and a lot of it is trial and error."