Increased dose of medication

[Dobcross1]

Hi, quick question please. When the dose of medication you are on is increased how long before you expect it to work (or not as the case may be)? Do you go back to square one ie the same as when you first took it 12 weeks or so (in my case 14!) or would you expect a quicker improvement given that the medication is already in your system for over 8 months? Thanks.

[charisma]

I usually had quicker improvement within a few weeks. HTH

[Dobcross1 in reply to charisma]

Thanks, yes that confirms what I thought would happen, think I might need a bigger increase!.

[Hidden]

It depends on what medication you’re talking about. Assuming certain blood levels on Dose A, then increasing the dose generally builds on those existing levels.

[Dobcross1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I'm on methotrexate - have increased from 15 to 17.5mg a month ago but no change yet!

[Hidden in reply to Dobcross1]

The highest dose I've ever had is 25mg injections. I felt marvellous, but my rheumy wasn't happy, so she added 10mg Leflunomide which was increased to 20mg. I now only take 7.5mg MTX tablets but still with 20mg Leflunomide. I think I need something extra.

[Dobcross1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks it's so helpful to know others experiences - I think I either need another increase or to add something else in. Thanks again and hope you get sorted soon too.

[nomoreheels]

I've had increases in MTX 15mg to 20mg, back to 15mg up to 17.5mg. Currently on 20mg from 17.5mg. Each time I've responded very quickly, weeks not months (both positively & negatively). It's never been a slow build up as it was when I was first prescribed it. Not doing too well at the mo but not sure my LFT would like a higher dose. I'm seeing my Rheumy tomorrow so will see what her thoughts are.

[Dobcross1 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks that's really helpful to know - I was wondering how long to wait as I'm not seeing Rheumatologist till end November. Though I've only taken 4 weeks of 17.5mg so I'll give it longer but don't want to be like this till end Nov! Hope you get sorted out tomorrow at your appointment. Thanks again.