Leflunomide for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews

• SamCF
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2013

"I was prescribed leflunomide for Psoriatic Arthritis, 20mg each day, in May 2012. For the actual treatment of my arthritis, I can honestly say it was a "wonder drug" I noticed a huge improvement all most immediately & this drug agreed with me so much more than Methotrexate & Sulfasalazine, both of which I had also been taking. The biggest negative for me was the HUGE hair loss I suffered. I had experienced some hair loss on Methotrexate, but, this was on a different level, so much so that I stopped taking Leflunomide in November 2012. Being a female in her early 40's, this was a decision I felt I had to take as the hair loss was so distressing."

• Petie...
• April 30, 2019

"After many years I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and my rheumatologist put me on leflunomide. After six weeks it began to work. I‘ve been on it 5 months now and I have been able to work out 5-6 days a week: weights, rehab, and yoga. (It was taking me 3-4 days to recover from flares with lightest exercise before). I have gotten SO much strength and flexibility and I am noticing muscle when I look in the mirror. My quality of life is remarkably improved! Side effects: diarrhea, moderate at first but now improved. Mild tinnitus, & balance improving more slowly than strength and flexibility. Some burning & cramping in feet and legs when fatigued from exercise or dancing (Yes! Dancing!). Hair loss comes in waves. The first batch of lost hair’s coming back fluffier and about half white. Hope it’s reached equilibrium now because I had thick hair but it’s average thickness now. Blood pressure, liver good. I hope it doesn’t stop working!"

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

"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 ok. Doesn't seem to interfere with my ability to fight a cold or heal a wound."

• Billy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2019

"I have permanent areas of psoriasis on buttocks and calf and infrequent PsA flares. Following a flare in 2018 my rheumatologist prescribed Leflunomide. GI side effects were unpleasant but tolerable. After about 8 months I started developing tinnitus, tendonitis (or tenosynovitis?) in the R. Achilles and, weirdly, my hair that has always been straight started going curly. Long story short, I experienced a full-blown Achilles tendon rupture 2 weeks ago and now face months of immobility and rehab. Please be aware that tendonitis and tendon rupture are documented side effects of Leflunomide and stay well-clear of this evil drug."

• Elsie
• March 30, 2021

"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."

• laurieo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2016

"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 10mg tablet per day. Doctor changed to one every other day and I have the same problem. Was taking this for psoriatic arthritis and calcium build up, but I can't bare the pain."

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

"I went on this drug in November 2017 (.20mg), 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 Laflunomide, 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 Laflunomide a week ago but still no relief from side affects. Does anyone know how long it takes for this drug to get out of one's system?"

• sweet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

"I took this eflunomide drug for my arthritis about 3 years ago. I only took it for 3 months. I stopped it myself after I noticed my hair falling out in clumps and I was becoming very short of breath. I have chronic bronchitis so I went to my pulmonary doctor. He told me I had something called interstitial pulmonary disorder. When I told the nurse practitioner at my arthritis doctor about it, she said that's why they used it because it had no side effects. I told her she needed to do more reading on the subject. I've been on meds for my COPD and so far I'm better in that respect, but my hair has not yet come back in. I'm very upset over it. I should never have taken that medication. It should be taken off the market."

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

"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 20mg/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."

• Sniffer
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2019

"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 round like a 90 year old man (I'm 45). My back and legs are covered with psoriasis. I started on 10mg every other day for two weeks then 10mg daily for a month and then 20mg 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 Methotexate for 9 years but in recent years it was making me feel really sick and had stop taking it."

• Nicko
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2019

"Leflunamide was not good for me, OK for a short while but developed severe nausea and bowel issues not ideal when you commute via train to to work daily. After a ceasing it took me a over a year to come right. My advise stick with the methotrexate."

• Spart...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 31, 2019

"I also have to say this drug has been amazing for me, along with Celecoxib (Celebrex) I am perfectly fine. Before I could not button my shirt and really could not do much activities. Now I golf and exercise every day. Wondering if others have seen a significant increase in the price."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2019

"While leflunomide seemed effective, as did methotrexate, my liver labs shot thru the roof! I've now reacted to those 2, as well as 3 IV infusions as I can't afford the $1700/mo it costs for Humira & the like which unfortunately, when on Disability you can't get into their $10/@ most deductible plans! Why?!!"

• OSano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2021

"2016, I got diagnostics with PsA. I almost had no skin condition but joints were really hurting. I avoid 2 years not taking harsh medication and my condition got worst. July 2018, I started to take Leflunimide 20mg a day. Back then I was so much in pain from small joints (fingers, toes) to big joints (shoulders, wrist elbow, lower back). I was in a bad shape, extreme pain, couldn't sleep, couldn't walk, nor sit on an even an orthopedic recliner chair. I started taking Leflunomide on July11th, exactly 6 weeks after at night I woke up and I had no pain. I though I was dreaming (still brings tears to my eyes). After that I lost my hair, but hair lost stopped and my hair grow back fully (also took folic acid) I have been every grateful to Leflunomide. However, after 2.5 years my pain creeping back, 4 months ago started in my toes, now shoulder and hands in pain, today I woke up having hard time walking. I think my body plateau on Leflunomide. I am quite sad about it. I am 45 years old, female."

• TeresaP
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2023

"Have tried so many other RX's from pills to injections and I finally have decent relief of Psoriatic Arthritis symptoms with Leflunomide 20mg 1 a day! FYI I'm also on Benlysta injection 200mg 1 a week, treatment for my Lupus SLE. This combination has given me decent relief from symptoms of both autoimmune diseases! Haven't had to take steroids for any flares for about 12 weeks now!"

• potluck
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2021

"Leflunomide has been life changing for me reducing my pain by 90% but it hasn't reduced my inflammation. I have had some mild side effects of rash which I treat with anti histamine and mild GI issues."

• Gaga
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 26, 2024

"Had been on this drug for 4 years. Worked really well for me until I noticed it didn’t work as good as it used to be. Had to stop as per my rheumatologist’s recommendation. Still had a few tendons inflamed here and there, but had symptoms worsened after quitting it…my mum is on it for over 20 years now and it works perfectly fine for her (she has rheumatoid arthritis)."