Nordimet side effects

[Mccarj2017]

Hello everyone, I don’t post often but would really like to have some advice. I’ve been taking methotrexate tablets for about 5 years & always felt sick before, during & after taking them. I have plucked up the courage to switch to Nordimet injections (first one yesterday). First impression was brilliant but then came the fatigue! This morning was worse...not only exhausted but extremely nauseous, which led to me needing a day off work. Is this one off or does it take time for my body to get used to this form of medication?

[helixhelix]

Are you on the same dose by injection as you were on tablets? As it is absorbed better by injection so you “get” more of the drug. Which means if you are on same dose you have effectively increased it! So that could be a reason that you feel worse.

[Mccarj2017 in reply to helixhelix]

It’s an increased dose due to CRP levels recorded in blood test so that makes sense. Effectively a double whammy no wonder it knocked me for six. Thanks so much xx

[nomoreheels in reply to Mccarj2017]

This happened to me. I went from 15mg tablets to 20mg injection. Once I reported it I was prescribed 15mg. This was back in the days of syringes but the dose is key. Tablets have to travel through the digestive system so some of the effect is lost. As subcut is delivered into the blood stream less of the effect of the med is lost so the relative bioavailability is greater. This can mean to a bigger side effect response, as we both experienced.

[Hidden]

I use this brand but I believe methotrexate hangover can happen with any brand. Yes first time it knocked me out and at times still does. ( medication is absorbed straight away) I can never predict it. Some weeks I’m fine others I’m like rip van winkle. Try Taking it when there is no work the next day. Hope it settles down x

[Mccarj2017 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 🙏. Xx

[Boxerlady]

I agree with Helix that it's probably because you're getting a higher dose. I've found that the side effects usually settle after I've got used to the higher dose each time it's been increased but I do still get some fatigue the next day so I take it when I can have a quieter day after it.

I'm currently experimenting with the time of day so that I'm most affected during the evening/night but it's not an exact science.... Even though it's injected you may still need the usual anti-nausia tricks re food and drink but hopefully it will all improve as your system gets used to it. Presumably you're on the full dose of Folic Acid?

[Mccarj2017]

Thank you 🙏. I’m not on the full dose of folic acid, just one a week. What are the anti-nausea tricks? I’m also trying to work out the best time to take it to avoid having a day off work xx

[Lupymo in reply to Mccarj2017]

Take 5mg of folic acid 6 days a week but not on the metho treatment day. Eat little and often to deal with nausea, try and see if it help?

[Boxerlady in reply to Mccarj2017]

Can you change your day so that you're off work anyway the following day?I'd ask your rheumy nurse if you can increase the Folic Acid to 6 days a week.

Make sure that you're well-hydrated the day before and the injection day. Eating regularly (every couple of hours) can help with nausia even if it's just a banana or a slice of toast. I have to eat before I feel hungry on nausia days. Things that help me when it hits are ginger biscuits and peppermint tea - I also suck peppermints and even find that a peppermint Club is ok (now I've got the advert tune as an earworm! 🎶😂)

I changed from 20mg tablets to 20 mg injection and felt the dose increase so it's not surprising that it's affected you. I'm now on 25mg injection and the side effects have pretty much settled apart from a bit of fatigue; it's worth it for me for the good effect it's having but I'd say that it's worth you letting your clinic know how it's affecting you.

[john140]

I went from MTX 10mg tabs to injection to try and alleviate the side effects myself. I took tablets for about 2 years and injections for about 3 years. There was no advantage really in terms of side effects on either. I did find that some of the cheaper looking generic MTX injections gave an even worse hangover that Metoject which I used to use. I gave up on MTX altogether a couple of years ago as it is so toxic. I now manage my RA flares with strategic use of Prednisolone every few months. This has suited me better.

[Flowers2020]

Hi,

I’m sorry to hear that you don’t feel very well with the medication and experience side effects. I too was on methotrexate tablets- use to take 8 and had no side effects, couple years later went down to taking 4 and eventually experienced sickness, fatigue and all sorts. I then was put on methotrexate injection pen. You mentioned you take Nordiment injection.. is this another name for methotrexate injection?

I was on the methotrexate injection for a couple of years and felt so much better with that compared to the tablets but eventually few years later I experience the same side effects but didn’t experience this straight away. I think it effect each person differently and might be worth seeing if your body can eventually tolerate it which I hope it does for you. If the injection you are taking isn’t the actual methotrexate injection then might be worth finding out some information for that.

I really hope whatever you take works and doesn’t cause any side effects but stay positive because there will be one that works for you!