Teriflunomide and Depression: What Users Say

• Rui...
• April 19, 2016

For Multiple Sclerosis "I wish I could rate this medication a 0 - this nearly killed me. Too bad this site only allows you so many characters because I wish I could tell you my whole story of this medicine but will have to give you the highlights - I gave it a good 4 months before going off, and I only got worse every day. New symptoms I did not have - severe depression/suicidal thoughts, pain and tingling, blurry vision, brain fog, panic attacks, couldn't think straight, just a general 'off' feeling, like I wasn't all here. I have been off for 6 months and a far cry from where I was, but still even some lingering symptoms - this made me WAY WORSE THAN I EVEN WAS BEFORE I STARTED IT - DON'T GO ON THIS MED - Also, check out a documentary on meds"

• 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."

• Day...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2014

For Multiple Sclerosis "I had side effects that are difficult to explain. I felt like I was decaying inside and never felt right about a month or so after starting - I missed a few doses one week due to not having my med and being away from home, and I felt better after just two doses missed! I had an MRI 6 1/2 months in and had active lesions on my spine. Brain MRI showed minimal change but in the same breath, no improvement toward lesions and size. I had vision blurriness that I never experienced - my eyes would go weak after 2 minutes of focus. I was told it was not due to the medicine. My other meds were not as effective as they were prior to starting Aubagio, and my Lyrica was tripled in dosage. My skin was dry, and my depression got worse, depression was better once I stopped."

• 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."

• 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."

• Rex...
• December 18, 2017

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS in 2005 and started on Rebif in 2006. Side effects included weird cravings, depression, and massive nodules at the injection sites. Which didn't help as I am also diabetic and was running out of places to inject. Had four relapses. Then changed to Aubagio last year. One month in, I got chickenpox from severe immune suppression. Three months in, my hair fell out by the handfuls. Six months in, I started getting burning hands and feet (?Aubagio/?diabetes). Am currently having a relapse, but not as bad as before. My thighs have recovered completely. My hair is thicker than ever. And I've stopped taking my antidepressants. Only thing is the burning, which comes and goes. Love the packaging! Helps me remember if I've taken them."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2021

For Multiple Sclerosis "I got diagnosed with MS in 2018. Haven't got any new 'spots.' What I now have come to recognize as attacks is pain and hurt I've dealt with for many years. So I guess I've had MS a long time before I got diagnosed with it. I'm on Aubagio and gotten lazy, tired, angry, sad, clumsy as anything! It's like everything about my personality has gotten heightened by 100. I used to run half marathons, lift weights, walk, and run in the mountains. That's not happening now. I thought it was because of the MS, but now, after reading these reviews, I'm starting to think the Aubagio is to blame...."