No! Always told to stop MTX when taking antibiotics. You might be best speaking to the Rheumatology team in charge of your care. Three weeks is rather long. There’s the risk of pneumonia with MTX and infections. Please do seek better medical advice. 🙂

It is very individual, as depends on many factors such as age, other medical conditions, previous history and so on. I have never stopped MTX whilst on antibiotics, on doctor’s advice. Talk to your own doctors who know your medical history and follow their guidance.

There is an antibiotic that you absolutely mustn’t take with MTX - trimethoprin - but apart from that it is on a case by case basis.

I’ve never stopped mtx when on antibiotics but my GP always checks which ones are ok to take with it before prescribing it. I do think it does vary reading past posts on here as to whether people are told to stop or not.

I've taken amoxicillin with MTX in the past but if I need antibiotics nowadays I halt it until I’ve finished the course then restart it the following week or days depending on which day the course is finished. I only do do this to have that bit better chance of letting the antibiotic work it's best. I’ve never had any ill effects but the general rule is to halt MTX as the amoxicillin could increase the effects of MTX, side effect & toxicity wise. Obviously we're not able to say yay or nay but this is what I’ve done. As has been said you'd be best to seek proper medical advice, we don't know your medical history & obviously aren't qualified.

It feels as if most Drs dont have a clue . I feel i m not being looked after and will speak to my GP in writing

NHS seems crap these days.

You should stop mtx if commenced on any antibiotics

Should we all not be singing of the same hymn sheet here? Sparklyshazza, the only thing this member SHOULD DO is get advice from the Rheumatology department.

unusual ... normally 3 monthly after that length of time

I am currently on my 5th antibiotic, having had a chest infection for nearly 3 months. Most of thevtimqe, ive been off mxt, because of it's effect on the immune system. At the end of the 2nd antibiotic, i restarted mxt the next day. Within 5 days i was back on antibiotics.

I am supposed to be going on amgevita, and haven't been able to, because of this infection. Barely got time to get better before the winter! And ,of course, being off mxt is causing flare-up.

Rant over!

I developed a chest infection after a cold just recently and was prescribed amoxicillin. I had stopped taking methotrexate for a week before starting the anti biotic and didn’t take metho during the weeks supply of anti biotic. Then I restarted methotrexate. I had a blood test a week later and my liver function test had gone through the roof. A further blood test 2 weeks later show this is improving but not back to my normal levels.

This is an anti biotic which doesn’t sit well with methotrexate and is hard on the liver. It is very good at clearing chest infections. If/when I have another infection I will ask my gp if there is an alternative one which may be a little kinder on my liver.

The doctors computer usually flags up meds. And contraindications . Always ask the GP.

I contracted severe pneumonia and was told that they nearly couldn't save me. No RA medication whilst on antibiotics, it works against them. I use inhalers, and sometimes get thrush treated by antibiotic mouthwash; even then I have to drop my RA med. for the duration. Good luck.

Most antibiotics are for a week. If you’re lucky you could fit it in between mtx doses