Drinking wine while taking methotrexate.

[cillfred]

I have been on methotrexate for years. I love to drink wine and my ra dr. Is aware of this. Is anybody else drinking while taking methotrexate? I have blood work every 4 months and my liver has always been fine as far as methotrexate.

[Eiram50]

I have to confess to having the occasional couple of glasses. I have my bloods done weekly and so far, everything is ok. Should that change, I'd no longer drink wine 😬

[helixhelix]

I didn't drink at all for the first 6 months, and then did start to have a glass of wine from time to time. My methotrexate night is Tuesday, and i now often have a glass of wine with my dinner on Friday and Saturdays. Liver results have been fine for last 6+ years. But we are each different, so this is just what seems ok for me. My rheumy was ok with a small amount of alcohol, as long as no binge drinking and being sensible (i.e. with food etc). Sadly more than one glass of wine and I feel ill. How times change!

Someone did post a link to some research recently, which I now can't find, which set out that a few alcohol units a week was ok.

[AgedCrone]

I drank wine regularly when I was on Myx . Rheumy was happy & my lft's were always fine......just don't drink a bottle a day was my motto!

[Chezis21]

I have 3-4 glasses of white wine per week but dilute it with soda. Been on MTX for 4years and have bloods taken monthly. I am also on Tocilizumab infusions. No issue re liver so far.

[cillfred in reply to Chezis21]

chezis21 why are you having blood test monthly? just curious. i have been on humira and methotrexate for 10 years and just had my first reaction to the humira. It has caused me to have "lupus like syndrome". i am off of the humira and will find out may 25th what he will be putting me on to replace the humira.

[Chezis21 in reply to cillfred]

Hi cillfred. It's due to the biological infusions which I have every 4 weeks on a Thursday. I have the bloods taken the Monday before eg I had them done today and I have my tocilixumab infusion this Thursday. My blood are checked for any signs of infection prior to infusion.

[cillfred in reply to Chezis21]

Thanks! I googled your medication tocilixumab. I have never heard of this medication. My next options to consider are: xeljanz, actemra, orencia and rituximals which is an iv. the others are by injection except xeljanz which is a pill. I am so scared to try any of them.

[Chezis21 in reply to cillfred]

I can understand you being scared but Tocilizumab has changed my life from the get go. I have been on it for 1 year and I have had no flare ups. Zero.

I've returned to cycling again and this week I have dug up part of my lawn and laid gravel! I am living a near normal life apart from some feet issues which cause me problems walking any more than a couple of miles.

Talk it over with your RA nurse and your RA doc who may be able to put your fears to rest. I gave it little thought as I was at the crippled stage and would havr tried anything! Take care x

[Hilary2802]

I have three or four drinks a week and am on methotrexate too. No liver problems at all. I was told by the nurse to drink within government guidelines which is 14 units a week so I am well within that. Good luck.

[Jacey15]

I've had to give it up as my liver enzyme are raised more often than not 😢

[cillfred in reply to Jacey15]

jacey15 I am sorry to hear this.

[Downtime]

Hi I have been taking MXT for 2 years and my rheumatologist says that moderate drinking is ok. I do drink red wine and have had monthly blood tests, now 3 monthly, and I have never had a problem.

Recent articles seem to say that unless you have existing liver problems or drink very heavily, there shouldn't be a problem.

[spott]

Me , I confess to a glass (small) each night after work ..

[Mimi21]

I've been on methotrexate for almost 10 years and have always drunk wine. My liver tests have always been fine so far. I try to avoid it on my methotrexate day, or maybe just one glass if we are on holiday or something. And I always drink plenty of water. The only time I barely touched it was when my mtx was increased to 25mg. My previous consultant told me he had written a paper about alcohol and methotrexate and said it was ok to have a drink but not to be a heavy drinker! I have cut down a lot now anyway more for weight and overall health purposes.

[Taffsmum]

My consultant knows I like my wine and says in moderation is fine. 😄🍷

[Simba1992]

This is what latest research say.

rheumatoidarthritisnews.com...

[helixhelix in reply to Simba1992]

That's the one! Thanks.

[cillfred in reply to Simba1992]

Thank you so much for the link!! I have always been honest with my ra dr. about drinking. The article makes me feel at ease, cant wait to get home from work and have a glass of Merlot

[Tillie20]

I used to love a just a glass of wine or two but the day I started medication I stopped I have not had a glass of wine for over 1 year and I must say I do feel better but would like a glass but if I had one I would want more I also stopped smoking over a year ago I still go out for a drink with friends and my husband and the next day it is so nice not to feel terrible as I was a light weight X

[nomoreheels]

I think it's down to how it affects you individually, though it's probably best not to over indulge is the general advice. It also depends on what your take on over indulging is....& one person's just one glass a day is dependant on how big their wine glasses are!

[Kyriew]

I like a G&T or wine possibly even a larger every now and again. I have found that since being on Methotrexate my tolerance to alcohol in general is not good. I once made the mistake of having 3 large glasses of wine when out for dinner and paid a heavy price ( passing out and banging my head on the bath ) So now I am careful of how much I drink. xxx

[Downtime in reply to Kyriew]

I drink red wine mostly and I totally agree that my tolerance to alcohol is not the same as it was. I do have to very careful as if I overindulge a bit I'm either asleep or falling over! Not good.

[NathanT in reply to Downtime]

i completely agree ... i have always enjoyed wines and craft beers ... if i drink the same volumes it affects me in the same way ... as none of my friends know I'm taking MTX they must think I'm a light weight. Thank you for sharing.

[Hidden]

I did have wine while I was on MTX with no issues, but I didn't drink lots either =)

[Blythegirl]

My rheumatologist said it's okay to enjoy (a glass at a time) wine 2-3x weekly. I take plaquenil and methotrexate. I take mtx on Wednesday and don't drink until Friday. I was told that if my liver enzymes increase, I lose the wine.😲

[Cornishrex]

I had a 175ml glass of red wine every night whilst I was on MTX (up to 20mg MTX a week at one point) My rheumy was fine with it. My bloods were always fine. I enjoy my nightly glass after dinner.

[Pipcat15]

I have been on methotrexate since 2009 which is the same time I gave up alcohol. To scared to even touch a drop. Liver and kidneys are always fine and that's how I wanna keep it. 😊

[glenb]

I used to drink whilst on MTX. My Rheumy said as long as you don't binge drink then drinking in moderation was ok if your bloods were ok? Don't drink at all now since I started trying to get better through diet.

[JEM95 in reply to glenb]

I used to drink, and really enjoy a glass of wine - nothing excessive, though.

However about two years ago my LFTs were raised and the alcohol had to go 🙁

I had half a glass of bubbly on NY eve (boy did it taste good!).

I'm currently on 22.5mg subcut MXT, have monthly bloods and my LFTs are all over the place. My GP says she's never seen anything like the results. Sometimes well within the normal range then the next month 3 times normal!

The benefit (or one if them) is that I'm always happy to drive places and get invited out lots!!

I haven't seen my Rheumy for 8 months, have an appointment next month so I'm interested to see what he thinks.