taking methotrexate

[pearlydoris]

I am only just starting on methotrexate and have been advised to take all tablets at the same time, with my evening meal and on the same day. How do other people take them and any tips?

[LavendarLady]

How many tablets do you have to take and what dosage are you on? I used to take mine in the morning with breakfast and when I was on the higher dosages spread them out during the day so as to minimise any nausea and sickness. LavendarLady

[pearlydoris in reply to LavendarLady]

Initially 10 mg ( 4x2.5mg) for 1 month then 15mg for a month. I'm dreading this but hopefully it will be the lesser of the two evils. I seem to be affected in all parts of my body. Sue

[grace37]

by injection. This way they by pass stomach, work much much better and less side effects. See if you can get your doctor to prescribe this way. Your friend or neighbour could help till you get used to injecting. Good luck and get better.

[pearlydoris in reply to grace37]

I mentioned what I had read on the site but it would seem they don't encourage it unless there is an absolute need Sue

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to pearlydoris]

I've been trying to get onto injections and haven't had much luck with this too. I've heard they can be much better for some.

I take 8 tabs with my evening meal and it works ok for me. The nausea can come and go through the week but I'm getting used to it. Good luck Rx

[helixhelix in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

Much more expensive....I think about £17 a week rather than £3. So if you multiply that by the number of people on it then the NHS has a lot of extra cost to cover. And usually comes of the GP's budget so makes them reluctant unless a clear benefit for patient. Sad that it's money that dictates, but at least we can get affordable drugs.

[heather_ellen]

I take mine all with breakfast, that way they're over and done with fairly quickly. I have 'Medication Monday' where I take my weekly doses of everything! Good luck with methotrexate and I hope you start to feel an improvement soon.

Heather x

[pearlydoris in reply to heather_ellen]

Thanks. Ever hopeful. Take care Sue x

[Hidden]

I take my MTX on a Tuesday evening, followed by Alendronic Acid on a Weds morning and my Folic Acid after the statutory hour, then that is my weekly lot dealt with.

Hope all goes well for you

[Pands]

I think you need to see how you get on with them in the evening first. I think the idea is that you can sleep through the worst of any nausea/side effects by taking them in the evening however I currently take mine at lunchtime as I found I was still feeling grim the day after if I stuck with the evening routine! I have actually changed time lots over the years including the days, depending on dosage and how I was feeling to see what works best for me. Best wishes.

[lab-lover]

I was advised to take them at night, to sleep through the effects. For a few weeks I did feel crap the next day, but am ok now, been on 8 tabs a week for 3 years

[Hidden]

Hello

I would take them with a drink.Remember to take your Folic Acid when required

Good Luck

BOB

[Rosie_rabbit in reply to Hidden]

Would that be a large malt whisky Bob lol xx

[Hidden in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

Hello Rosie

Just a large one (s)

All the best

BOB

[LavendarLady]

Hi Sue, my rheumy switched me to the MTX injections after 2 years because of the side effects of sickness and nausea. A lot depends on how you respond and how severe any side efffects on. There is no reason why you could not go onto the injections if you find the tablets a problem. On 4 tablets you should be ok to take them all at once with a meal. If you are on folic acid as well, you don't take this on an MTX day. If you go up to 6 tablets once you are on 15mg you may find it easier to take 3 and 3 tablets to lessen the chance of nausea. It's really what you find suits you. Any problems speak to your GP,. Rheumy or Nurse. Good luck. LavendarLady x

[Karen77 in reply to LavendarLady]

Why not take the folic acid on the same day as the MTX? My rheumy put me on folic acide Mon-Wed-Fri, so I take the Monday pill with my Monday MTX. Should I change the folic acid to Tues-Thurs-Sat or move my MTX day? Thank you!

[LavendarLady in reply to Karen77]

Hi Karen, I was told by my Rheumy and the pharmacist that the folic acid should not be taken on the same day as MTX as one interferes with the action of the other. I was on folic acid 6 days a week but not on MTX day. I think it is folic acid which interferes with the efficiency of the MTX so have always followed the instructions I received. LavendarLady

[Poshcards in reply to Karen77]

Folic acid should not be taken on day of metho. I was told to take folic day before metho and metho all in one go in the evening.

[Karen77 in reply to Poshcards]

Thanks to you both. Maybe the reason I haven't been doing so well the past few months is that simple!! Will definitely switch the days.

[Nildesperandum]

Hi. I take my folic acid on a Saturday and then my MTX on a Sunday evening when I go to bed. I haven't experienced any sickness or nausea so far (since I started the medication last May). Hope that helps Sally x

[clearasred]

Hi when I started to take my methatraxate I was advised by a friend of mine also taken them to take on a Monday night which I do .The reason for this is you have to start of with what suits your life style best .With me its methotrexate Monday detox all week then allow my self a couple of drinks over the weekend and then back into the routine .Good luck .

[Doughnut61 in reply to clearasred]

Hi I am interested to know if there have been any changes in your blood results after having a weekend drink ? I so miss having a glass of wine on a Friday night 😁 I am also on prednisolone and HYDROX - this is my sixth week on these drugs - 😘

[pearlydoris]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. They are very helpful. Onward and upward then from now on!!! Sue x

[rogerac]

I would agree with "pands" by the time they kick in you will probably be ready for bed anyhow (6 - 8 hours later) and sleep through the nausea. Thats the way I do it. Good luck x

[Hidden]

I've been on 10mgs MTX for a few months now - at first I felt grotty , it wore off for a bit but has come back with a vengeance and I feel wrecked for most of the week, I increased the Folic acid but have now asked to go on injections. Today I've tried splitting the dose which at the moment feels better but I'll have to see.

[Scottishlad]

Some people get on quite well on methotrexate. I got up to 10 tablets per week without too many problems. I did not have any stomach problems only some mouth sores and ulcers at the high doses. Please try to start with an open mind and not be too anxious about possible side effects.

Cecil

[Karen77 in reply to Scottishlad]

It was the same for me. I consider them lethal tic tacs - no side effects whatsoever, not even improvement to my RA! Begrudgingly I am still taking them with my Humira. I take mine Monday mornings with brekkie. I used to take them Sundays but always wanted a glass of wine with my Sunday dinner so to Monday they went!

[scotstigress]

I take all my meds at night, I chose a sunday night due to having alot days off fall on mondays. If ur one of the lucky people who are off every weekend then perhps friday or Saturday night so if u feel like crap u can rest. Dont take meth anymore but take sulph which is daily, but still take it at bedtime with the thyroxine, simvistatin, folic acid, tramadol, codine, diclofenic and long term insulin autoimmune diseases suck!!!!

[LavendarLady in reply to scotstigress]

I fully agree. I have to take thyroxine but take it in the morning together with my statin. I can't take codeine or any of the morphine based drugs as I am allergic to morphine. No lon ger on folic acid as taken off MTX last October because of lung inflammation. Did try Tramadol in the USA when in pain, did not affect the RA at all - found paracetemol with Nurofen is better.

Should you not space out the meds? Kinder on the stomach.

LavendarLady

[jazie]

Hi

I used to take my methotrexate on a Friday night as if I get any side effects I would be off work.

But then decided I didn't want to feel unwell on my days off.

So now I take on Monday night.

I take them in the evening hoping the side effects might be gone by the morning.

Good luck

[Farley]

Been on Methotrexate for 3 years, tried taking all at once....yuck....talked to the doctor, she said "as long as i take them on the same day"...i take 9 pills on tuesday, 6 with a large breakfast (about 7am), and a very large glass of water and 3 at lunch (about 1pm), large meal again with lots of water..with snacks inbetween..this seems to work for me...

i also take a 3+ mile walk...still get a little sick, but as long as i stay ACTIVE and DRINK PLENTY of WATER i am ok.

[Laceygreen]

You take folic acid on the 3rd day after mtx,so I take mtx Wednesday night,then folic acid on Saturday night, hope this helps

[lupyloo]

Hi, going to be going through the same thing. Starting 15mg methotrexate 5mg folic acid four days after but also staying on hydroxychloroquine 400mg/200mg alternate days fingers crossed x

[Doughnut61]

Hi I take mine about 8pm on a Monday night - I am taking HYDROX and prednisolone daily also 💊 I have felt very up and down and suffered upset tum for first 3 weeks 🤑 I seem to be over the worst regarding side effects now and I am on week six - my pain has been so much better and I just tell myself if I don't take all these drugs I will only get worse 😡 So I will do has my Rheumy tells me 😘 I had an Aunt and Grandmother that were so deformed with this awful disease I so don't want to end up like them 😪 On a positive at least we have a chance with these Meds 🤒 As long as our lungs and liver can cope xxx Onwards and upwards X positivity I find helps X

Love to you all 😘😘