I've literally just started methatrexate tablets, nausea all night, vomiting, sweating feel like I've been hit by a bus.
Nurses explained that people can feel rough after taking it, ive been prescribed folic acid for 6 days a week. Nurses also said as i have issues with my stomach if i get bad nausea could maybe have the injections.
Question is does having it via injection get rid of the nausea ?
I took the tablets at 6pm yesterday and so far (1pm) and really nauseous still . I was so anxious about taking it so not doing myself any favours.
Totally won't be looking forward to taking it again next week but I've already had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine so I need to toughen up and stick with this as need disease under control.
Just wondering floating it past the nurses to see if it could be changed to injection or would I have to try tablets for longer do you think?
Thanks 😊
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Marionfromhappydays
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Hi Marion. I have had the injections from the start because the rheumy doctor thought it would help with my sensitive stomach. I did have nausea initially but only on a couple of occasions did it feel bad, most of the time it was mild and after a while it wore off. I have had stronger nausea with the SSZ than with the MTX. I would go for the injections but it's up to you at the end of the day. You could type it in the search box and get opinions from the other people that have posted in the past before you decide. Good luck with it. x
I had tablets for two weeks and had to force jelly down.
I was switched to injections and they were much more tolerable. I still had to have folic acid 6 days a week but I was able to fully function yet when I was on the tablets I could barely move for the nausea. And true nausea is horrendous.
I’m sorry it isn’t great for you ... the first three doses weren’t brilliant with the first dose or two where I had the nausea, wiped out thing etc. but it did ease each further dose. I moved after 5 weeks on to MXT for different reasons and I haven’t had any side effects on the injections.
There are supposed to be less side effects with the injections.
I’ve been on both although I wasn’t particularly bad on tablets I did notice on injections that I was less bloated. Injections bypass the digestive system so less like likely to get tummy problems also your digestive system can destroy the some of the dose so often less by injections.
Hi first thing first we are all different I felt sick with tablets for 7/8 weeks but stuck with them as the pain had eased I took folic acid to but eventually they put me on methotrexate injections don’t no why as I was ok on tablets anyway 2 years later still feel nauseous but I think you learn to live with it at least I am no longer in pain hope you get sorted soon hang in there good luck stay safe x
Hi I was like you and only stuck it for two weeks before changing to the injections. I had a tiny bit of nausea for a couple of weeks but then it went - so don't suffer and ask to change. Good luck.
Give it a bit longer.....one dose is hardly giving it a go is it?
A lot if your symptoms could be anxiety & expecting to feel nauseous......make sure you drink plenty of fluids.....that really helps...& don’t take them on an empty stomach.
A lot of people find it helps to split the dose...take after meals throughout the day.
I always felt pills were much easier to manage than injections. .....especially on holidays etc.
Although of course right now we don't have that problem.... dammit!
Just try not to overthink things...so many people give up on drugs too soon & end up on a roundabout chopping & changing.
Interesting.......I was offered mtx injections very soon after starting the pills but decided against for exactly the same reasons as you! Mind you I think I might have given it a go if the side effects had been really bad but they have lessened as time’s gone on.
I think with all the drugs we take it really is “try it & see”..it’s no good saying No....just because Dr Google or another person says you will be nauseous or have other nasty side effects.
I & I’m sure everybody could write a book how certain drugs disagreed with them, but tbh...who cares ....as long as it suits you?
You can take an injection such as Mtx away with you with a small disposals box (size of a sandwich box.) Never had to do it myself. It can be more difficult if you have to keep things like the biologics at fridge temp when travelling. Infusions have their distinct advantages (but at the moment are throwing me a few spanners.)
I am on my 4th week of the tablets and nausea has abated quite a bit . I have a ginger biscuit which worked with morning sickness and seems to help a Bit . Stick with it as you may find it gets better . Fingers crossed and a
When I first started on the pills I was also nauseous but after a few weeks it was so much better. I learned to never take it on a empty stomach and because I take 8 pills once a week I sometimes take 4 and wait a hour to take the other 4. I also take folic acid , 3 pills a day and they are each 1000 mcg. When I first started taking the methotrexate I was terrified because it’s a pretty scary drug, but now it’s 5 years later and it has helped tremendously. I also have a enbrel injection once a week. Try to hang in there with the pills if you can, it does get better.
I never had any problems with my stomach after injecting MTX. I didn't take the tablets as I pass out if I'm going to be sick (always have since puberty). The injections, ofcourse, by pass the tummy and are so easy to administer. I wouldn't hesitate to change if I were you. I have learned with this disease not to suffer more than need be and to not persevere for too long with advere effects. The only reason that tablets are given for injections is the cost. I persevered with Leflunomide for too long, to my cost). Hope this helps a little. x
Thanks Rosie, my nurses have been so lovely and said to contact them if i get side affects so I will email and ask about injections. I can't abandon the methatrexate yet so injections might be better x
So pleased you have made your decision. It instantly makes us feel better I think. Here's fingers crossed that the nurses get you all organised for injections sooner rather than later then, as you say, you can give MTX a good go without all the unnecessary side effects. x
I was much worse on injections, completely wiped out and very nauseous for 5 days after, I changed back to tablets and the nausea lessened as time went on.
Years later, I gave in after trying many other meds, to Metoject and it is fine for me. I get a tiny bit of nausea and a little fatigue, but it doesn't last long and my life is not disturbed by it.
Hi the tablets made me feel nauseous, I continued for 3months but was so glad to try the injection...and was injecting for 2 years, much better! This drug is very powerful as all these drugs we take to lessen our symptoms are. I hope you find something that works for you. Take care.
You poor thing. The nausea subsided with me after the. First 3 - 4 weeks . Please try and persevere. I found eating something high in carbs helped - banana or a cereal bar
when I was on the tablets it was certainly worse but I asked GP for anti sickness tablets as well as folic acid. Can’t remember needing it so much with the injections. Methotrexate certainly helped my R.A. unfortunately I took worse side effects than nausea. Good luck x
Hi. So sorry you are having a difficult time. When I first started taking mxt I was told to take it at night so I would sleep through the nausea. I am one of the lucky ones so it has never made me feel ill but I do always take it after toast or biscuits and not before 9.30pm. I believe injections cause less nausea too. x
Hi I only eat light foods the day before I take mine and also over dose on drinking water. Specially on mtx day and day after. First few I was a bit rough but once you get over that it’s fine. Still have odd day but you got to give it time to get into your system.
It’s worth trying to stick with it as your body should get used to it & the nausea should lessen. When I started injections hadn’t been introduced so I hadn’t much choice. I used to sit on bathroom floor for most of the following day being constantly sick but it did improve & was on it for 15 years. It worked well for me. Good luck x
good morning... i have been on MTX injections for about 7 years and COSENTYX injections for about 3 years .. i also have 'BARRETTS OESOPHAGUS' which can cause stomach problems and involves more drugs.. ... to help combat the nausea i was prescribed CYCLIZINE my prescription calls for 3 a day but i tend to take only 2... that leaves a useful spare for odd occasions ... ask your medical people about them they made my life a lot easier to cope with... ! All the best...
I also went straight to injections due to a very sensitive stomach and a recent bout of gastritis. Haven’t had any real issues. My bloods were a bit funny for a few months but that’s normal and settled. The injections come in individual boxes so really easy to travel with. If flying you take them in your hand luggage the hold is too cold) with a copy of your prescription and show it to security. If you inject on holiday, my nurse said just pop the used pen back into the box until you get home. The needle is shielded so it’s ok. I inject mid-week so I can go away over a weekend without it. If you continue to have nausea with the tablets, I would ask to change over.
I have gastritis too, this is day 3 of bad nausea now and its not much fun !
That's for the advice about traveling and how to transport the syringes, if i do move to the injections it's good to know traveling with them isn't going to be a problem x
no I'm not taking anything for it, i generally just put up with it. They found i have gastric parietal cell antibodies that cause it but certain tablets/ foods really get it going.
You’re not moaning at all ... but really if you took a PPI it would stop the gastritis being irritated and allow it a chance to reduce/heal and reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.
My husband and I both take methotrexate for different conditions and we were both stopped from taking PPI by different consultants. I have gastritis and hiatus hernia and just suffer as I can only take antacids but with a 4 hour window from sulfasalazine that is taken twice a day so not much use. What did your prescriber say to you as I would love to be able to take them again.
I’m taking Sulfasalazine and MXT and have gastritis and Hiatus hernia. No doctor or nurse has told me to stop the PPI and the rheumy even upped my dose onto esomeprazole. I’m taking mine once a day at least 2 hrs before Sulfasalazine in the morning. (Usually around 4/5 am when I wake for a bathroom break. 😁
I was lucky when on Methotrexate tabs, no sickness etc. Progressed to injections due to stomach discomfort but didnt make any difference. At the same time I was on Infliximab infusion which was great. If I had experienced nausea like u have said, I definitely would not be taking it again. The pain of RA is more than enough to put up with...but thats me!
I've been in pain since end of April, had 1 allergic reaction to DMARD and now vomiting with MTX , im just so fed up!
I really want to give MTX a good go, I've got 2 children plus care for my father , I thought the pain from RA was bad but mixed in with sickness it's kicking my butt !
I will ask nurses about injections although being the NHS and increase cost I'm not sure if i will be allowed.
Feel like a bit of a whimp but I feel now just as bad as I did when first took it Friday.
Thanks for your reply and apologies for the moan 😁
I know what u r going through. I have had RA for 38 yrs. in the early days I worked my way thro everything from Gold injections to Methotrexate...Lots of side effects and nothing worked except steroids then in 2002 I was the second person in our area To try the new biologics. Gave me my life back. Stay strong and keep In touch with your RA Dept.
Hi Marion. I have been taking MTX since December. Not nauseous but dreadful bloating. Switched to injections three weeks ago and the change is significant. It was much easier than I feared. Literally no pain - it's a tiny needle. I would recommend switching.
Hiya Liz. I’ve been on MTX injections for 10 years at various doses but only when I go up to 20mg do I get nauseous. I'm prescribed 5mg folic acid 6 days but still need a prescribed antiemetic. If the dose is reduced to 17.5mg the nausea is resolved.
I hope a change to injections helps you, for some it can make the difference between remaining on MTX or needing to try another DMARD.
Been on tablets for about a year. Recently had some digestive issues coupled with fatigue so I decided to experiment with foods, etc. and I think I’ve discovered some things. 1) Eat a later dinner, something substantial but not greasy or hard to digest; a three egg omelette with some toast has been perfect. Take the pills a bit after eating, maybe 30 minutes or so. 2) Drink PLENTY of water as others have mentioned, both day of and day after. 3) Here’s the silver bullet: ginger. I drink a couple of cups after dinner and take the pills with the tea. THEN I chew on raw ginger root on and off til I go to bed. I’m convinced this is what makes the difference. I also chew up a couple of antacid tabs before sleep. Today I woke up just a tad groggy but NO NAUSEA and was doing fine after a shower and some coffee and oatmeal. Seriously, OD on ginger and see if it helps. This is not some corny hippie thing. Sailors have used it for ever to deal with seasickness and eastern medicine uses it as a staple. It’s cheap, it’s natural and it works. Best of luck...RA is a drag but it’s not unmanagable.
Get in the injections, I had a nightmare with it in tablet form it was horrible to a point where I was so depressed it was a horrid medication , but now I’m in the injections it’s hardly notice but if it works or not is another post .
I’m on the mtx injections. They are better than the tablets in terms of nausea but I still get it sometimes. Plain breadsticks is my advice. Don’t let yourself get hungry, carbs help
Hi, Methotrexate has been a major challenge for me. I have been on 2 weekly injections for a year now as I'm unable to inject weekly due to it causing abnormal ALT levels when taken weekly.
I am unwell for around 4-5 days after my injection and have problems with nausea and vomiting for the first 2-3 days.
I could not tolerate oral Methotrexate due stomach problems.
I do find the injections better but wish that I wasn't so unwell for days after.
I also take sulfasalazine and baricitinib.
I know others who inject with Methotrexate with no problems all.
I have been newly diagnosed and recently started on methotrexate tablets. I could only tolerate 2 weeks of tablets for the same reasons as you. My rheumy nurse was fantastic and got me put on injections at a lower dose with the intention of increasing the dose very slowly to increase my chances of tolerating it. I have now had 3 weeks of injections and the first couple of weeks I had horrible fatigue the day after and very little nausea however this week I have had no side effects whatsoever. So I am feeling really hopeful that this will be okay. I really want this treatment to work. I hope it works out for you 😊
Hi Marion, I've been on methotrexate since 1992 & take 6 tablets on a Wednesday. To help with nausea, my rheumatology nurse suggested splitting the dose. So, I take 3 at breakfast & 3 with my evening meal. Sometimes, I feel a bit queasey on Thursday am, but have realised that if I eat & drink plenty on Wednesdays, most Thursdays I'm ok!Peppermint tea also helps. Good luck. X
Hi, I've been on MTX for 9 years now. I have always taken my 8 tabs after 10.30 pm on a Monday night and slept through the side effects there's a little discomfort in the morning but I'm used that now. I also take 1 folic acid tab for 6 days. I also took SSZ but have been weaned off that now and at present am in remission. Try to stick with it.
Hi Marion, I’ve been in the injections for some years now and initially I was sick after taking the injection. I was out on Folic acid tablets daily apart from the day of my injection and that seems to have worked. Hope this helps
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