Leflunomide
I have been on Leflunomide for 6weeks now and to be honest I am getting no benefit from it at all as pains can be really bad sometimes. Has anyone tried this along with anything else eg biologics TIA
Hi
. I am sorry leflunomide doesn't seem to be working well for you. Some medications can take six to eight weeks (or longer) to reach efficacy, but since you have been on it for six weeks, it may be worth a call to your physician to discuss your options. And I do hope other community members see your post can chime in her and share some helpful input.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.I took leflunomide for a few months about a year ago. It really helped my RA symptoms and I was very sorry when I had to stop taking it. The side effects, especially diarrhea, made it impossible to continue. Even after stopping it I had a reprieve from my worst symptoms. The fatigue which plagued me since first becoming symptomatic nearly vanished. And now, a year later and at least nine or ten months since stopping the drug, my fatigue isn't as bad as it was before I took it. Don't understand this at all. There may be no connection. It is great though. Sorry it isn't working for you!
I also took leflunomide and found the medication was very good. Unforitnaltey I had to stop taking it because of mouth sores. If it were sustainable for me I would still be using it. ........................... rick
I had those too.
This drug is the only one to help me (20 mg on weekends and M/W/F) but I’ve noticed that my feet feel like I’m wearing heavy socks when not wearing any. I stopped taking it on Dec 1 but the sock feeling is still with me. I’m not sure if it’s the Leflunomide, or maybe the cold weather. I just know that I am back to being crippled without it. I am supposed to be starting Orencia next week but it’s expensive under Medicare.
Hi
. Has anyone mentioned the changes to Medicare prescription drug plans for 2025? As discussed in this page, out of pocket Part D expenses are capped at $2,000 and the cost can be spread out over the course of the year: https://www.medicare.gov/about-us/prescription-drug-law. I know this is still a lot of money, but significantly better than the coverage Medicare previously offered for biologics.
Concerning the feeling of heavy socks on your feet, mind if I ask how long this has been the case? I ask because, as discussed in this article, leflunomide can cause peripheral neuropathy and the likelihood of it fading may depend on how soon after symptoms appear the treatment is stopped: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15179412/. Your doctor should be able to provide additional information and guidance. Best, Richard (Team Member)
