Leflunomide experience ?

[ItchyScratchy]

Curious about anyone's experience with Leflunomide (Arava) as a solo treatment.

My Rheumatologist has me on 20 mg a day for PSA at the same time as I'm on Enbrel (2 injections/week). 
Enbrel costs $21,000 CDA here in Ontario and without insurance - its a ton of money...
Appreciate people's feedback.
With thanks
(itching and scratching less now than before)

[jiml]

Wish I could help , but are you asking if Leflunomide will treat the psoriasis as well as the Psoriatic Arthritis ?

I wish you luck

[Kat]

I haven't ever been on Arava so have no first hand knowledge to share. I do believe that we have members on meds for psoriasis only that they say helps with their psoriatic arthritis so I guess it could be possible. I'd suggest a talk with your dermatologist about it and see if they would let you drop Enbrel and see if you stay clear (once you get there) and monitor it closely. Good luck!

[mataribot]

I haven't ever been on Arava so have no first hand knowledge to share.  I do believe that we have members on meds for psoriasis only that they say helps with their psoriatic arthritis so I guess it could be possible.  I'd suggest a talk with your dermatologist about it and see if they would let you drop Enbrel and see if you stay clear (once you get there) and monitor it closely.  Good luck!

The drug primarly for RA; helps PsA hands and feet and psoriasis. However, the drug is hard on the liver (no drinking).

[Kat]

I haven't ever been on Arava so have no first hand knowledge to share.  I do believe that we have members on meds for psoriasis only that they say helps with their psoriatic arthritis so I guess it could be possible.  I'd suggest a talk with your dermatologist about it and see if they would let you drop Enbrel and see if you stay clear (once you get there) and monitor it closely.  Good luck!

The drug primarly for RA; helps PsA hands and feet and psoriasis. However, the drug is hard on the liver (no drinking).

So it does say it helps with psoriasis? I didn't read up much on it, saw where it was primarily for RA and prescribed for both RA and PsA. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of drugs that are hard on the liver (and I don't drink often at all) but a lot of drugs are it seems.

[mataribot]

Les it does help; how much I could not tell you. This drug is hard on your liver, even more so than MTX.

[ItchyScratchy]

Les it does help; how much I could not tell you. This drug is hard on your liver, even more so than MTX.

Was too hard on my liver. So no longer taking it. The journey of symptom relief with biologics continue.