Teriflunomide and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "On Aubagio for 18 months. My rating is for oral use and no new recent lesions on MRI results only. Had MS for 12 years, I am 49. Started on Rebif 3 years, then Copaxone 1.5, had horrible skin irritation on both so then Tysabri for almost 8 years. LOVED Tysabri!! Unfortunately tested JC Virus + and had too many risk factors so had to go off of it. I am not a fan of Aubagio. All these symptoms are since starting Aubagio: Numbness/tingling in hands/arms, legs/feet, bladder issues, vision issues (can hardly drive at night anymore), no energy, headaches, and overall just do not feel like myself. So far no new lesions, but a host of side effects. Not sure it's worth it. Do your research!"

• 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."

• Mea...
• August 8, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was on it for two years. I wanted to stop, but my neurologist and husband insisted I had to take something, and I wasn’t willing to give myself shots. I had some side effects from the beginning. It just kept getting worse, and no one could tell me anything. Hair loss that still hasn’t come back, eye problems, severe headaches, messed-up periods (I had my period for three months straight and never knew when it would start again or how long it would last), spotting, brain fog, depression, I never felt well. Finally, I convinced my doctor and husband that I’m better off not taking anything, and I’m doing much better."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS in 2008, late in life at the age of 48. I started on Copaxone and was on it until a few months ago. I only wanted to change as I was running out of injection sites. I started Aubagio 2 days ago. This is an awful drug!!!!! The side effects far outweigh the benefits, and I'm only 2 days in!!! Headache, heart palpitations, numbness everywhere, pain everywhere. Scattered thoughts, a feeling of heaviness throughout my body, fatigue...it's HORRIBLE!!! I WILL not take another pill."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "Having an issue with frequent relapses every few years and the grey matter atrophy of my brain being the main topic, Aubagio was recommended by my MS neuro. I prepared for the minor issues, however, I had developed bladder issues and was getting horrible headaches halfway through my 3rd month. I had to stop use and see my neuro. Will find out results soon but will suggest that going into this one must have an open mind and be very aware of their MS. I know mine was helpful in my determining I was having a 'flare' along with the additional issues. The nurse program that is there to 'support' us is not helpful at all. They cannot answer any questions. They, however, refer you to the clinicians who again do not answer questions."

• Squ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Aubagio 2 weeks ago. I've been on Copaxone (horrible site reactions days after injection), Avonex (serious gastric issues and no progress in regression), Gilenya (horrible headaches for the time on it and also showed not to be working), Tecfidera (found I have tested positive for JCV with high risk for PML). Which brings me to Aubagio. I take it at night with some Tylenol every other day and have had NO side effects. It may be too early to tell about the thinning hair, but I do drink, 3 times a week, protein shake 'Muscle Milk', 25mg protein and take biotin. I have felt great. Also, the damage to my hands (nerve pain and stiffness) seems to be letting up. If it still feels this good by the end of Nov, I will let Aubagio know."

• 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."

• wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2018

For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed in May 2015. Started on Copaxone. Stayed with it for over 2 years before I couldn't take the pain from the injections any longer. Started Aubagio. I've been on it for about 6 months. For the first two months, I couldn't get off the couch. I literally had zero energy. Wasn't sure if it was the disease or the meds at first. But it lasted too long to be the disease. It eased up a little bit and I started doing my thing again, but I never have felt 'well' since I started taking the drug. Now, 6 months in and I stopped it 2 days ago. I can't take it anymore. Headaches, unrelenting fatigue, disorientation, tingling in my head and neck (like hair standing up), blurry vision, depression, stomach upset, irritability, did I say fatigue? I'm not an advocate for not taking meds for this disease even though I know they are poisoning our bodies. But if the consequence is dealing with daily misery and pain, then no thanks."

• LR7...
• November 15, 2015

For Multiple Sclerosis "I have taken Aubagio for 6 months and no new lesions since I started. For the first couple of weeks, it upset my stomach and I had bad headaches, but those improved. After a month or two, the hair loss gradually increased and I'm still losing more after 6 months. I still have headaches every day, but they haven't been bad until recently. I now have face flushing and pins and needles that are much worse than normal. I also have a red sore on my arm that is slowly growing and just doesn't want to heal. I'm going to Neuro this week to decide if I should continue or not."

• Pre...
• October 26, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and used Betaseron, thrilled to take a tablet. So far, so good, started out with headaches, body aches, general all over not feeling good. Then I took medication at dinner rather than in the morning. I slept through the side effects, sometimes only waking up in the middle of the night with a headache that Tylenol would correct. Now I am free of side effects, only my hair is thinning out. I think I will stay with it. I have been free from any major problems, and that's the main idea!"

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

For Multiple Sclerosis "I am 66 years old and I was put on Aubagio 14 mg every other day. After only 2 weeks, I feel like it is the end of me. I feel so ill with headaches, pain in my hips and pelvic area, shivers, no energy to even walk, keep going to bed, I am so tired. I am thinking of stopping because I felt fine before taking Aubagio and full of energy, walking the dogs, riding my motorbike, etc. Having only ever had 2 events, 1 in 1993 and a second in 2011. The consultant says I have more lesions and risk brain damage, but I really wonder as things can slow down. It's not worth feeling this poorly for me."

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 9, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "The medicine made me weak, always sick to my stomach. It affected my eyes, which the drug company said they had never heard of. Headache, skin was itchy all the time, and losing hair was not my cup of tea either. The doctor took me off. This drug is not for everyone."