Alcohol and methotrexate

[Jacks529]

Hi, I'm new to this and its great to see all the advice that's being given. I'm 38 and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in April but for 2 years before with palindromic rheumatism. I'm on 200mg hydroxycloroquine and 20mg methotrexate. I used to have a drink (or 5😄) every weekend but I've stopped completely. But I have a girls night out in a couple of weeks and was wondering if 3 x 250ml glasses of wine would be fine? Before I would probably drink this before I went out 🙈 I know this will be good in the longrun but I'd still like to enjoy my girls nights out. Thanks x

[helixhelix]

3 x 250ml is a lot! That’s a whole bottle of wine so if it is standard 13.5% then you are drinking 10 units of alcohol in one go. The recommended weekly max is 14, and all the advice is that the one thing you mustn’t do is binge. 3 units + is a binge.

And particularly if you have not been drinking at all that’s not being at all kind to your liver. Plus you might feel quite ill if you are no longer used to it. I can no longer drink more than 250ml of wine without feeling sick.

Could you drink 3 x 250ml spritzers instead? Ie spread 250ml of wine across 3 glasses? Or choose a bar that serves non-alcoholic wine.

[Jacks529 in reply to helixhelix]

Yes, I never thought of that. I'll give spritzers a go, thanks 😀

[Mmrr]

I absolutely agree with HH, 3 x 250 mls is a lot of wine in one go and for me would not be worth risking my liver for.

If you like a G and T lots of places are doing non alcoholic G and Ts now, which are very tasty I'm led to believe and very 'on trend' too.

[Gnarli]

Sorry but HH has made a good point. There are now a lots of no-alcohol drinks around now which would be an option. I'm quite fond of a no-alcohol lager for a refreshing drink that's not sweet. So many soft drinks are like syrup. Yuk

[Hidden]

Methotrexate is tough on the kidneys too. as is alcohol. And if you haven't been drinking that much might have you puking. I can do one or 3 glasses IF I eat.

You can ask for wine spritzes, those only have half of it wine. I will usually do a wine them water. Wine tends to give me hot flashes now. I rarely drink anymore, I rather feel better the next day. You could offer to be the designated driver? Then drink soft drinks all night, its still fun. Drunk people are funny to watch.

[Jacks529]

Thanks for the advice! I've decided not to drink, I'm one of those if I have one drink, I want another! Also seeing benefits in 6 weeks of stopping drinking, blood pressure is normal whereas it was high before and I've lost 6lbs! Not that I was a big drinker but did like my wine! 😁

[JFlay]

I've been on Methotrexate since this January and have been drinking wine but keeping to below the 14 units weekly (as it says in the booklet) no problems with my bloods... BUT yesterday my online access to my GP records became live so I had a look at my blood results... my last bloods (in May) showed that one of my liver enzymes ALT had spiked 😟 I know these fluctuate but it's a bit worrying. Anyway, my MTX was stopped this week due to side effects and have a rheumy appointment in July and another blood test next week, hope it's a better result. I'm not sure which DMARD I'll end up having next but if you like a glass of wine (as I do) these drugs are not much fun ☹️

[AgedCrone]

Why not try half a glass with a meal & see how you go? Even try diluting with some water if it,s white wine.

Drinking 750ml when you have been teetotal is a heck of a rush for your liver......in fact it’s a whole bottle!

I drank red wine whilst on methotrexate ....my liver didn’t react badly ....but I never drank a whole bottle in an evening-I still don’t - one bottle will last me 4/5 evenings.

You are very newly diagnosed .....you really don’t want to mess up methotrexate which can be a wonderful drug - for the sake of one evening’s drinking.

Not to mention how dreadful you might feel !

Sorry to be a killjoy but I had seven very good years on Mtx...... having a glass of wine most evenings ..... I have moved on to Biologics now, but I can still have a glass of wine & have no liver problems.

RA treatment is for the long haul....think about it.