taking methotrexate: I am only just starting on... - NRAS

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taking methotrexate

pearlydoris profile image
34 Replies

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?

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pearlydoris
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34 Replies
LavendarLady profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
pearlydoris in reply to heather_ellen

Thanks. Ever hopeful. Take care Sue x

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 profile image
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 profile image
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

Hello

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

Good Luck

BOB

Rosie_rabbit profile image
Rosie_rabbit in reply to

Would that be a large malt whisky Bob lol xx

in reply to Rosie_rabbit

Hello Rosie

Just a large one (s)

All the best

BOB

LavendarLady profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
pearlydoris

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

rogerac profile image
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

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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 😘😘

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