Teriflunomide and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Dob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed 3 years ago - now know that I've had MS for 30 years. Stopped Copaxone due to awful injection site reactions, then after playing the insurance game, started Aubagio 3 months ago. The side effects of these medications are worse than the disease!! I stopped taking it a week ago due to horrific muscle/joint pain, daily pounding headaches, blurry vision, diarrhea, ear congestion, neuropathy in hands/feet, and extreme fatigue. I'm supposed to call my Dr in 2 weeks to discuss how I feel after 3 weeks off. Seriously, these meds that are designed to help are poison! I'm going to stay off the 'preventives' and continue my clean eating and aquatic exercise."

• Ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had MS for 25 years. Been on every med there is, I think. Started Aubagio 7 months ago. The medication seems to be working, however, the side effects have been very real. Hair loss has been more than minimal for me but has slowed down now. Feeling out of it is how I feel most days, but I do have more energy. I do have headaches most days, but they are tolerable with increased water intake. Incontinence seems to be worse, but I just started a new med that is working there. I've had mouth sores and boils, which I've never had before. My depression has gotten worse, and I cry a lot, it seems. Stomach upset and diarrhea have subsided, but the dry skin is a pain. My brain lesion activity has stopped, however, my balance, vision, and endurance are worse."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had MS since I was fifteen, I'm fifty-four now. I started taking Aubagio in June. Since then, I've had frequent diarrhea, extreme swelling of my ankles and feet because of water retention, a large kidney stone (1 cm), probably not from the Aubagio, but still, an antibiotic-resistant bladder infection which led to a two-plus week hospitalization, my toenails are falling off, leading to cellulitis, and a cold (I hadn't had a cold in three years). I truly believe that this medication will kill me if I don't stop taking it, and I plan to find another MS medication."

• poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had MS for 18 years and have been taking Aubagio for 6 months-my first treatment. My MS was active and I had developed multiple new lesions with relapses. The first 3 months were rough, with nausea, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and an overall 'sick, flu-like' feeling. I stuck with it because the alternative is much worse. My hair has thinned, but I anticipated that side effect. I have a runny nose most of the time and still have some diarrhea. I've had 2 relapses, but they were only a few days in length. I am awaiting an MRI to determine if the Aubagio is working, so fingers crossed. I want to stay on it as Copaxone is the next option. My insurance doesn't cover Aubagio, but I qualified for a bridging program, so I am forever grateful. Stick with it if you can tolerate the side effects for a couple of months and your neuro approves. Hopefully, they will subside for you as well. Good luck to everyone managing this disease."

• Bea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2019

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Aubagio for almost a year now. Had severe diarrhea for a few months. Started drinking a glass of Benefiber every day, and that completely fixed it. My stomach rumbles a lot. Other than that... ZERO side effects. Though, like all these drugs, I wonder if it is really effective or not in slowing progression. By the way, if you have insurance, there's a copay assist. I pay nothing for this medicine."

• Cub...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I’ve been on Aubagio for 2 years. I had some side effects: diarrhea and hair thinning. The hair thinning is starting to come back after 2 years. I love the ease of this versus injections."