Leflunomide for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews

• Sam...
• 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 almost immediately, and 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 40s, this was a decision I felt I had to take as the hair loss was so distressing."

• Pet...
• 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 for 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 the 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, and balance improving more slowly than strength and flexibility. Some burning and cramping in feet and legs when fatigued from exercise or dancing (Yes! Dancing!). Hair loss comes in waves. The first batch of lost hair is 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 and liver good. I hope it doesn’t stop working!"

• Bil...
• 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."

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

• Els...
• 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."

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

"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?"

• Gag...
• 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)."

• lau...
• 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 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."

• hur...
• 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 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."

• Sni...
• 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 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."

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

"I took this leflunomide 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."

• OSa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2021

"In 2016, I got diagnosed with PsA. I almost had no skin condition, but my joints were really hurting. I avoided 2 years of taking harsh medication, and my condition got worse. In July 2018, I started to take Leflunomide 20 mg a day. Back then, I was in so much pain, from small joints (fingers, toes) to big joints (shoulders, wrists, elbows, lower back). I was in bad shape, extreme pain, couldn't sleep, couldn't walk, nor sit on even an orthopedic recliner chair. I started taking Leflunomide on July 11th, and exactly 6 weeks after, at night, I woke up and had no pain. I thought I was dreaming (still brings tears to my eyes). After that, I lost my hair, but the hair loss stopped, and my hair grew back fully (also took folic acid). I have been very grateful to Leflunomide. However, after 2.5 years, my pain is creeping back. Four months ago, it started in my toes, now my shoulders and hands are in pain. Today, I woke up having a hard time walking. I think my body plateaued on Leflunomide. I am quite sad about it. I am 45 years old, female."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2019

"Leflunomide 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 work daily. After ceasing, it took me over a year to come right. My advice, stick with methotrexate."

• Spa...
• 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 through the roof! I've now reacted to those two, as well as three IV infusions, as I can't afford the $1700 a month it costs for Humira and the like, which unfortunately, when on Disability, you can't get into their $10 a month deductible plans! Why?!!"

• pot...
• 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 antihistamine and mild GI issues."

• Ter...
• 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!"

• BH1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2024

"Serum-negative RA diagnosis. Swollen joints and tendons, fatigue, headache, brain fog. 20 mg/day. The API is well tolerated, no diarrhea, no GI issues. Increased blood pressure. Started to have efficacy after 3 weeks. Works well. Have scalp issues not resolved yet (50% hair drop, red painful bumps not folliculitis, white scale, just started meds.)"

• Hob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2024

"I have been on leflunomide for 2 months and feel like a different person. After 15 years of suffering, I am now virtually pain-free. I have my life back."