Does methotrexate cause weight gain?

[fluffy1609]

[Crazyjo]

Hi fluffy, I found I gained some weight when was first on methotrexate but levelled off after a while, been on it almost a year now

[fluffy1609 in reply to Crazyjo]

Thanks for your quick reply, any weight gain is a problem when you have limited mobility, so it's good to know if medication causes it, I have been on methotrexate for 9 weeks and put on about a stone so very worried.

[Crazyjo in reply to fluffy1609]

It does make it hard when not very mobile, I was quite active before so been a shock to my system. Good luck with the meds they don't do much for me unfortunately

[linz503]

Hi Fluffy. I actually lost my appetite when I was on methotrexate. I lost weight at first but then when I was on it for a while, I started to gain because I was exhausted from it that my activities were slim to none!

[julie_warwick]

I have just stopped mtx but have put on loads of weight , I am blaming the sudden change in activity , had a very physical job and used to run , also on steroids so I'm pretty sure it wasn;t the mtx but I could be wrong , horrible isn't it ?

[Alderess]

I used to snack to get relief from the nausea on Methotrexate. For me it was two days a week overeating sweet things probably did it, so indirectly I could blame Methotrexate. I now have omeprazole to protect my stomach plus folic acid 5 times a week and this has meant less nausea. One day I hope the weight will go down.....

[denvajade]

Hi there my experience is yes!

[Treesha]

I was on mtx for 18 months and gained half a stone but have since lost it again. Still on mtx 2 and a half yrs now so for me I'd say no. X

[Kezia-SA]

Hi there, I have been taking methotrexate for +/- 18 months for a rare eye condition and have gained 15kg's since (previously used to be a constant 48 kg no matter what I ate) I have cut out sugar, fizzy drinks etc, but not dropping the weight. My doctor says that weight gain is not one of the side effects and could not be causing the weight gain.

I am going to be on it for the next couple of years and the thought of expanding further is depressing if any one has any solutions please advise.