Does Methotrexate cause weight gain?

[Shann07]

Im just starting Methotrexate and Im hoping it works well for me. Im already overweight and trying hard to loose the pounds. Does anyone have any advice if the Methotrexate will cause more weight gain!

[PMRpro]

It isn't usually thought to do so BUT if you are also taking pred at the same time, it can increase the appetite increasing effect of pred. I'd never experienced that on pred alone, especially eating low carb - but as soon as I started MTX I was permanently hungry and gained a kg in a month. I stopped the MTX but it took ages to lose.

[Shann07 in reply to PMRpro]

Thankfully Im not on steroids. That’s reassuring that it isnt known to cause weight gain as Im battling to loose 2 stone at the minute, so I really dont want to add more weight! 💛

[MonicaT]

It doesnt seem to. Its the steroids that increases your appetite! So you should be ok.

[Beau2016]

I started mtx 5 months ago - no weight gain.

17lbs in 4 months from steroids ! But adding Mtx has enabled me to reduce steroid dose by half so far 🙂