Generic Name: Aubagio (teriflunomide)
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"
For Multiple Sclerosis "I've been on Aubagio for 7 months. I just had a new MRI to check progress, and MRI showed no new activity. This is the first treatment medication that I've been able to handle, after trying every single other. Love it."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I've never written a drug review before, but I finally figured out that it's the only way to find out the REAL side effects for all these new MS drugs. 47 now, but diagnosed at 21; Long before any of us had the three shots to choose from. Started there, then Tysabri, then Tecfidera, and now Aubagio. I will come back and adjust my rating in 6 months, but so far, I'm loving it. Little worried because it sounds like there are a few side effects that they didn't mention. DON'T think just because the drug company and your neuro say that's not a possible effect of the drug, it isn't. Thank you all who share your drug experiences. Without you, many of us would keep taking drugs that lower our quality of life."
For Multiple Sclerosis "Found out I have MS at 64 years old and Aubagio is working excellently. I take it after dinner, with lots of water. A little hair loss is my only side effect. Good luck to everyone. Stay positive! And many thanks to the people who developed Aubagio!"
For Multiple Sclerosis "On Aubagio for 18 months. My rating is for oral use and no new recent lesions on MRI results only. Had MS for 12 years, I am 49. Started on Rebif 3 years, then Copaxone 1.5, had horrible skin irritation on both so then Tysabri for almost 8 years. LOVED Tysabri!! Unfortunately tested JC Virus + and had too many risk factors so had to go off of it. I am not a fan of Aubagio. All these symptoms are since starting Aubagio: Numbness/tingling in hands/arms, legs/feet, bladder issues, vision issues (can hardly drive at night anymore), no energy, headaches, and overall just do not feel like myself. So far no new lesions, but a host of side effects. Not sure it's worth it. Do your research!"
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."
For Multiple Sclerosis "Diagnosed 3 years ago - now know that I've had MS for 30 years. Stopped Copaxone due to awful injection site reactions, then after playing the insurance game, started Aubagio 3 months ago. The side effects of these medications are worse than the disease!! I stopped taking it a week ago due to horrific muscle/joint pain, daily pounding headaches, blurry vision, diarrhea, ear congestion, neuropathy in hands/feet, and extreme fatigue. I'm supposed to call my Dr in 2 weeks to discuss how I feel after 3 weeks off. Seriously, these meds that are designed to help are poison! I'm going to stay off the 'preventives' and continue my clean eating and aquatic exercise."
For Multiple Sclerosis "The first 6 months on Aubagio were wonderful. I noticed a change for the better in my depression, with seemingly no side effects. Then, at the 6-month mark, things started to go very wrong. I broke out in boils. I had them in my ear canal, as well as on both legs. I've never had boils in my life. Then things started to get even worse. I had bronchitis, the flu, bronchitis again, the flu again, admitted to the hospital for TIA (which turned out to be a massive MS attack), bronchitis again, cellulitis, and finally, severe nausea and dizziness. So many side effects my doctor did an elimination to remove the medication quickly from my system. The ease of taking the medication did not offset the side effects."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I was diagnosed with MS in 2008, late in life at the age of 48. I started on Copaxone and was on it until a few months ago. I only wanted to change as I was running out of injection sites. I started Aubagio 2 days ago. This is an awful drug!!!!! The side effects far outweigh the benefits, and I'm only 2 days in!!! Headache, heart palpitations, numbness everywhere, pain everywhere. Scattered thoughts, a feeling of heaviness throughout my body, fatigue...it's HORRIBLE!!! I WILL not take another pill."
For Multiple Sclerosis "Aubagio was very easy to take. That was the only perk of this medication. It did not help any of my symptoms or prevent any relapses. It caused extreme bowel upset for months, and I lost over three-quarters of my hair. Its side effects said hair thinning, not hair loss. I had extreme hair loss. When I called to talk to someone, all they wanted to tell me were the statistics from their studies. They had zero interest in documenting the real-world results and my issues. They had zero desire to help me either. They just kept telling me it would get better. If I would have stayed on the medication, I would be bald. I was extremely disappointed in the help (or lack thereof)."
For Multiple Sclerosis "Having an issue with frequent relapses every few years and the grey matter atrophy of my brain being the main topic, Aubagio was recommended by my MS neuro. I prepared for the minor issues, however, I had developed bladder issues and was getting horrible headaches halfway through my 3rd month. I had to stop use and see my neuro. Will find out results soon but will suggest that going into this one must have an open mind and be very aware of their MS. I know mine was helpful in my determining I was having a 'flare' along with the additional issues. The nurse program that is there to 'support' us is not helpful at all. They cannot answer any questions. They, however, refer you to the clinicians who again do not answer questions."
For Multiple Sclerosis "As soon as I began taking this medicine, my vision became incredibly blurry. Nausea and other stomach issues not as bothersome, but present daily nonetheless. Neuropathic problems in legs occurring daily. Tingling, sharp pains, and numbness in different areas of feet and legs come on intermittently."
For Multiple Sclerosis "42 years old, diagnosed at 34. Was on Rebif (terrible for me) for about 5 years (3 shots/week). Always felt like I had flu-like symptoms. Constantly taking Advil for aches and pains and chills. Tried Tecfidera for about 2 years. Worst abdominal pain and bloating ever!! (2 pills/day). Now on Aubagio (1 pill/day), and I couldn't be happier!! Small amount of bloating, but overall no issues. This one is working for me!!"
For Multiple Sclerosis "I started Aubagio 2 weeks ago. I've been on Copaxone (horrible site reactions days after injection), Avonex (serious gastric issues and no progress in regression), Gilenya (horrible headaches for the time on it and also showed not to be working), Tecfidera (found I have tested positive for JCV with high risk for PML). Which brings me to Aubagio. I take it at night with some Tylenol every other day and have had NO side effects. It may be too early to tell about the thinning hair, but I do drink, 3 times a week, protein shake 'Muscle Milk', 25mg protein and take biotin. I have felt great. Also, the damage to my hands (nerve pain and stiffness) seems to be letting up. If it still feels this good by the end of Nov, I will let Aubagio know."
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."
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."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I have been on Aubagio for 6 months. It is easy to take, especially after being on Copaxone for 5 years. No side effects except that I have been experiencing hair thinning and hair loss for the past 2 months. The amount of loss is moderate, and to be honest, it is worrisome. I can't find any information about when the hair shedding will stop. I had long, thick hair but just had 8 inches cut off, as shorter strands are easier to deal with than longer strands. I see my neuro this week and will ask. I called the one-to-one nurse, and it was a total waste of time. I asked about how long the hair shedding usually lasts, and she replied by reading to me, word for word, what is on the Aubagio site about hair loss."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had MS since I was fifteen, I'm fifty-four now. I started taking Aubagio in June. Since then, I've had frequent diarrhea, extreme swelling of my ankles and feet because of water retention, a large kidney stone (1 cm), probably not from the Aubagio, but still, an antibiotic-resistant bladder infection which led to a two-plus week hospitalization, my toenails are falling off, leading to cellulitis, and a cold (I hadn't had a cold in three years). I truly believe that this medication will kill me if I don't stop taking it, and I plan to find another MS medication."
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."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had multiple sclerosis for almost 10 years and have been on pretty much every other MS therapy there is (Copaxone, Rebif, Tysabri, Gilenya, Tecfidera) and had horrible reactions with all these meds. Aubagio is the only medication that I don't have major side effects on. When I first started, there was some nausea and flu-like symptoms, but they dissipated after the first month. I haven't had any recent flares, and I used to take Nuvigil for fatigue, but have found that I don't need it since I've started Aubagio. The One-to-One nurses are friendly, but extremely unhelpful. They basically regurgitate the same verbiage that's on their website and can rarely answer my questions."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I have had MS since 1988. I was on Betaseron from 2001 to 2014 and switched to Aubagio in January 2015. About mid-April, I lost my sense of taste - not appetite, just taste. The weird thing is that I can taste salt and only salt. I also have hair thinning."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I've had MS for 18 years and have been taking Aubagio for 6 months-my first treatment. My MS was active and I had developed multiple new lesions with relapses. The first 3 months were rough, with nausea, diarrhea, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and an overall 'sick, flu-like' feeling. I stuck with it because the alternative is much worse. My hair has thinned, but I anticipated that side effect. I have a runny nose most of the time and still have some diarrhea. I've had 2 relapses, but they were only a few days in length. I am awaiting an MRI to determine if the Aubagio is working, so fingers crossed. I want to stay on it as Copaxone is the next option. My insurance doesn't cover Aubagio, but I qualified for a bridging program, so I am forever grateful. Stick with it if you can tolerate the side effects for a couple of months and your neuro approves. Hopefully, they will subside for you as well. Good luck to everyone managing this disease."
For Multiple Sclerosis "I have MS 20 years now, been on Betaseron, been on Avonex 16 years; I'm so happy a pill came out. Tecfidera was a nightmare, off it in 2 months. Been on Aubagio 5 months, little hair thinning; so far, so great, no side effects. I'm 57 and I have high BP for 20 years. I take Cymbalta 30 mg for stress."
For Multiple Sclerosis "How does one know if an MS med works? It is a crapshoot. I have lost hair-no big deal. Most concerned about the accessibility of the packaging. It is an awful package for people with a neurological disorder. What is wrong with a bottle?"
For Multiple Sclerosis "I have taken Aubagio for 6 months and no new lesions since I started. For the first couple of weeks, it upset my stomach and I had bad headaches, but those improved. After a month or two, the hair loss gradually increased and I'm still losing more after 6 months. I still have headaches every day, but they haven't been bad until recently. I now have face flushing and pins and needles that are much worse than normal. I also have a red sore on my arm that is slowly growing and just doesn't want to heal. I'm going to Neuro this week to decide if I should continue or not."
