Jane

[jane1976]

Hi all, I've been advised not to take methotrexate while I'm on antibiotics starting tomorrow. Does anyone know if I need to stop Hydroxychloroquine as well as, I forgot to ask?

[LindaLegs]

I'm not sure but you could either speak to a pharmacist or give your GPs a quick ring.

Luv Legs x

[sylvi]

I don't know about them,but definitely the mtx.xxxx

[helixhelix]

We are not supposed to give medical advice - see pinned post on right hand side. But I think it's ok just to tell you my experience, which is that I didn't have to stop hydroxy or sulphasalazine and it was just MTX I stopped when had a bad infection needing antibiotics.

[nomoreheels]

Always best to check with your prescriber (Rheumy in this case but your Rheumy nurse, GP or often Pharmacists are helpful for things like this). However, I didn't need to stop my HCQ when I needed antibiotics. I've had varying advice about MTX & penicillin based antibiotics, my GP says to not take it again until the course is finished but my Rheumy nurse says that's not necessary unless you're prone in bed. Who's right? All I can say is I follow my GP's advice.

I hope you feel better soon Jane. x

[jane1976 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks, very kind of you.

[wishbone]

Some rheumies say to stop taking methotrexate when you have an infection, while others think it's ok to carry on with it. Speaking as a man of many infections, I would stop taking it. It can take a while for the methotrexate to wear off anyway, so hopefully the infection will have cleared before your joints become painful again. Also, if an infection does become serious then the sooner the methotrexate is out of your system the better, as it will enable the immune system to combat the infection more efficiently.

It's probably ok to carry on with hydroxy as it's not an immune suppressant as such. Always go by what your GP or rheumy says though. Same goes for methotrexate

[jane1976 in reply to wishbone]

Thank you.

[Martinilady]

Well I had the start of a gum infection - went to dentist explained I was on Mtx and she checked her "big books" for advice and prescribed a 3 day course of antibiotics which she said was ok whilst I still took Mtx. It worked and I was fine, later went back to have tooth filled. Even the Chemist agreed it was ok.