Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. This medicine can stay in a woman's body for 6 months after they stop taking it. For men, there is a risk that methotrexate can damage sperm. This can affect the way a baby develops during pregnancy. Women and men wanting to try for a baby need to stop taking methotrexate at least 6 months before trying to conceive. Ask your doctor about changing to a different medicine before you stop using contraception. Methotrexate may sometimes make you feel tired, or dizzy and light-headed.
If you are feeling tired or dizzy, do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Page last reviewed: 24 March Next review due: 24 March Methotrexate - Brand names: Jylamvo, Maxtrex, Methofill, Metoject, Nordimet, Zlatal On this page About methotrexate Key facts Who can and cannot take methotrexate How and when to take methotrexate Side effects How to cope with side effects of methotrexate Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about methotrexate.
About methotrexate Methotrexate is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. Methotrexate is available on prescription only. NHS coronavirus advice As long as you have no symptoms of coronavirus infection, keep taking your prescribed immunosuppressant medicine as usual.
Updated: 20 March Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? For conditions such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, you'll usually take methotrexate once a week.
It's important to take it on the same day each week. You'll get a patient card to record the details of your weekly dose and the day you take it. Keep this with you and show it to any healthcare staff involved in your care. Before and during treatment, you'll have blood tests to check your blood, liver and kidneys. You may also have a chest X-ray and a breathing test to check your lungs before starting treatment. Methotrexate can be used by adults and children.
Tell your doctor before taking methotrexate if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to methotrexate or any other medicine are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding have severe liver, kidney, or blood disease have an infection have mouth ulcers, or have been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer are due to have a "live" vaccine this includes the live flu vaccine usually given to children.
Doses for inflammatory conditions For inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, the dose will vary. Taking methotrexate tablets Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Taking methotrexate liquid Always use the oral syringe that comes with your medicine to measure your dose.
Having methotrexate injections You will usually go to your GP surgery or a hospital outpatient clinic once a week to have your injection. Methotrexate treatment for cancer If you're having methotrexate treatment for cancer, a doctor or nurse will usually give you an injection. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Contact or advice if:. Important Do not take folic acid on the same day as your methotrexate. Tests during treatment When you first start treatment, you'll have a check-up and blood tests every 1 to 2 weeks.
What if I forget to take it? Never take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose. Common side effects Common side effects may happen in more than 1 in people. Speak to your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, stomach ache or indigestion diarrhoea headaches feeling tired or drowsy hair loss Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10, people.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, stomach ache or indigestion — eat simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller, more frequent meals.
If you're being sick, try taking small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. For stomach ache, putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may help.
Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. You can try a painkiller such as paracetamol. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery if you feel tired or drowsy. Speak to your doctor if this does not get better. If hair loss bothers you, talk to your doctor. They may be able to lower your dose or recommend a different medicine.
Methotrexate and pregnancy Methotrexate is not recommended in pregnancy. Methotrexate and breastfeeding Methotrexate passes into breast milk in very small amounts. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. There are many medicines that affect the way methotrexate works.
Mixing methotrexate with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take vitamin and mineral supplements or any other products that contain folic acid folate if you are already taking folic acid prescribed by your doctor. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does methotrexate work? How long does it take to work? How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take long-term? Does methotrexate increase the risk of cervical cancer?
Can you get more than a week's supply at a time? Do I need to avoid people with viruses while I'm taking it? Are there other treatments for inflammatory conditions?
Women should wait 90 days after stopping methotrexate to get pregnant. Men, too, should wait 90 days before trying to conceive because methotrexate may affect sperm the sperm production cycle is 90 days.
Do not breastfeed until the drug is completely out of your system. For more information about managing pregnancy with rheumatoid arthritis, check out our family planning patient guidelines. Methotrexate can affect liver function, which is why doctors will monitor your liver health closely while you take it.
For occasional drinkers, Dr. Feldman says the rules about how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking methotrexate depends on the rheumatologist. He tends to be a little looser with his patients.
But he thinks a drink here and there is not dangerous for patients without any liver issues. There may be slight increase in infection, Dr. Doctors may recommend patients with severe infections say, being hospitalized for pneumonia take a break from methotrexate while they recover, but you can still take it while you have minor infections like an upper respiratory virus or urinary tract infection.
You can read more about getting the flu vaccine when you have arthritis here. Feldman says. It would be unlikely that you would skip methotrexate altogether and go straight to a biologic. There are nuisance side effects for 10 to 15 percent of patients.
But we are monitoring you very closely, and if we look at the control studies, it appears to be very effective for a significant portion of RA patients.
It may be all you need. Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis. CreakyJoints is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research.
We present patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. We represent patients through our popular social media channels, our website CreakyJoints. Only fill in if you are not human. How does methotrexate work? Is it a pain pill? Is methotrexate a cancer drug? Why am I taking a pill for cancer?
How long will methotrexate take to start working? Most arthritis patients take methotrexate orally, in a dose consisting of several pills. Some find that splitting the dose eases GI side effects. Take half the pills in the morning and the other half 12 hours later, preferably with food.
Ask about anti-nausea medication. For very severe stomach upset, your doctor can prescribe an anti-nausea drug such as ondansetron Zofran.
Switch to injections. When nothing else helps, switching from oral methotrexate to the injectable version can eliminate GI distress. Try a rinse. To relieve painful mouth sores, a salt-water rinse or special mouthwash containing lidocaine a pain reliever may help. Releasing adenosine may fight inflammation and help relieve painful, swollen joints.
But Dr. Chan notes that adenosine also causes fibrosis, or buildup of scar tissue, in the liver. Over time, that could result in liver disease. To monitor and limit your risks, your doctor may recommend you avoid alcohol and will run routine blood tests to monitor your liver function. Keep in mind that only about 1 in 1, patients with RA who are taking methotrexate experience serious liver damage.
Methotrexate users may develop other issues, but many can be monitored by regular blood tests. Risks and side effects to be aware of:. Fibrosis and inflammation in the lungs. If you do have a dry cough, shortness of breath, or any other respiratory problems, make sure to tell your doctor. You may be wary of side effects with methotrexate, but most people tolerate the drug quite well, especially if they take folic acid, follow doctors instructions and practice other good health habits.
Methotrexate Side Effect Stats. These increases are usually mild and resolve without treatment. For more information about medications and other ways of managing arthritis pain, download the free Vim app.
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