Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine

[Arlescote]

Has anyone been prescribed hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate together - is it successful for controlling pain - I am currently on steroids which I am gradually reducing- thanks

[Boxerlady]

I started on these just over a year ago and have had significant improvement although there's still some to be made so I've recently added Sulfasalazine.

Methotrexate is considered to be the gold standard Dmard and works well in conjunction with Hydroxchloroquine. It takes some time for any medication to start working and different people sometimes need different combinations but this is a good place to start.

[Arlescote in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks - I will try to be patient

[Hidden]

It really depends if the drugs work. No guarantee.

Both drugs are disease modifying drugs, they act by dampening down the immune system and therefore the inflammation. If that happens pain and swelling will reduce.

My fingers are crossed for you 🤞

[Arlescote in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much - this is my first flare up since diagnoses two years ago and

It really has taken me by surprise just how painful and disabling it has been.

[Boxerlady in reply to Arlescote]

Have you been on any medication since diagnosis?

[Arlescote in reply to Boxerlady]

Yes, steroids for a couple of months until methotrexate started to work and folic acid, All worked well until June and then 😳

[Hidden in reply to Arlescote]

This is what happened to me. I was on sulphasalazine for 2 years and a stressful event caused a flare so I had to have steroids. There are lots of drugs and mtx works better with other drugs.

[nomoreheels]

I have, though not for long. I started on HCQ (200mg twice a day) & coming up to a year on it it was less effective. As 400mg is the maximum dose I started MTX (15mg). I remained on the HCQ until my next appointment (3 months) whilst the MTX built up then it was stopped. I've been on MTX 11 years now, though I have tried sulfasalazine & leflunomide with it but both had to be stopped.

I hope the two bring you better control.

[dwsurquhart]

Did not control pain or inflammation for me. Just made me very ill.

[Ferret18]

Yes, that was the first combo I had. Worked well for a while but have gradually had to change my meds.

Good luck with it

[A234]

This combination has been controlling my R.A. very well for the past 11yrs, I hope it works for you too 🤞.

[bunnycaramel]

It depends from person to person. For me hydroxychloroquine was stopped as I was having migraines and eye problems after a year. I have stayed on methotrexate and have started a biological as I couldn’t tolerate other dmards

[Smelliott]

Methotrexate was great for me for the first 7 or 8 years. Added hydroxychloroquine about 5 months ago, and it seems to have done roughly bugger all, but it seems to vary from person to person!

[bienassis]

Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine are often prescribed together. My rheumy wanted me to take these two drugs 10 years ago when I was 75. My optician advised that I think carefully before launching myself on Hydroxy. It can affect the eyes and if you have already had cataract procedures and are over 65 it can be problematic.

Whether this is still the thinking about this drug I don't know. At the time when I mentioned it to my Rheumy her reply was: You should be alright for a time! Well, I decided to stick with the Methotrexate alone and haven't regretted it.

bienassis