Methotrexate

[Bobbiebella]

Relatively new to RA , Prescribed methotrexate yesterday by consultant. I’ve read leaflet and googled this drug, but nowhere suggests at what time of day to take tablets. Can anyone advise me..I’m starting drug on Saturday. Thank you for your help.xx

[Bootoo]

Everyone is different, I inject mine and do it 1st thing in the morning , but lots of others take theirs at night. You will work out when is best for you.

[Bobbiebella in reply to Bootoo]

Thanks bootoo, actually dreading using this drug , but contact with others, who have experience with it and hints and tips are so comforting. Thank you.xx

[cass24]

As the previous poster has said, everyone is different and eventually finds what works best for them.

Personally I take mine with my evening meal and often don't feel any side effects at all, although if/when I do, the timing of those can vary from almost immediately to up to 48 hours afterwards so I'm not convinced (that for me at least) when I take the pills makes a huge difference either way, it's really just a matter of routine and what I'm used to...

Good luck... and hopefully you'll find the mtx will eventually start making a real difference to your symptoms (even if it does take a few weeks for those effects to kick in)... x

[Bobbiebella in reply to cass24]

Thank you cass24, dreading using this drug, feedback such as yours have made a difference to me...thanks for taking the time to comment.ccc

[cass24 in reply to Bobbiebella]

Believe me, you're not alone in your feelings...

Like many others, I was flipping terrified about taking mtx. It was several weeks after picking up the prescription that I actually, finally dared to pluck up the courage and even then, I sat there with these tiny little pills in my hand convinced I was about to poison myself (and pretty much gave myself a panic attack in the process too)...

And the result was... well... initially actually quite an anti-climax really. I made it through the night (ha!) and felt a bit sick/headachey the next afternoon but that was pretty much it...

So... I kept doing the same thing the next week, and the week after that... and each time my nerves got a little bit less, and after about 8 to 10 weeks I started to notice that they were really starting to have an effect.

I'm now 18 months from then and swig the pills back without any thought. Occasionally I do have a bit of an icky day the day after, but I consider it's a small price to pay for the relief from the pain I was experiencing previously and I wouldn't want to be without my little yellow/white saviours

Of course, not everyone gets on with mtx, but there are a lot of people who do, and hopefully you'll be one of them too. Either way... you won't know unless you try...

Good luck and fingers crossed for you x

[Hidden]

Hi, as others have said it can take a few goes to work when is best for you. My consultant recommended that I take it in the evening after a meal so if I could sleep off any side effects. My daughter had it in evening as well. If you have any other questions please do call our helpline at NRAS on 0800 2987650. All the best, Debbie

[Bobbiebella in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Debsw_nras, for your comments, the messages have been very interesting, and helpful, I’m definitely going to take it in the evening. Fingers crossed...

[Sheila_G]

The best time is in the evening about an hour or two before you go to bed so that you will sleep through any nausea you may feel. On saying that, I have taken mxt for 19 years now and never had any sickness with it. It has been amazing for me and changed my life. I hope you have the same experience with it but don't expect it to work immediately. It can take a few months to sort out your dosage and to get it established in your body. Good luck.

[Bobbiebella in reply to Sheila_G]

Thank you Sheila_G, for taking the time to message me..I really appreciate it..definitely evening time, I now have a plan. Xx

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Generally most people when they start on MTX tend to feel a little nausea so taking it at night time does help so that you sleep through that. May I suggest you take a look at the information we have on our website about mtx and if you'd like to actually talk to someone else that's been on Mtx for a longtime we can put you in touch with a trained volunteer over the phone. call our helpline on 0800 298 7650 or visit our website for more informationnras.org.uk/resource/methot...

[Ritaritis]

Afternoon Bobbiebella, I was told to pick any day and time and stick to it, the time did not seem to make a lot of difference. I take my meds with my evening meal about 6:00, others before going to bed, some in the morning. What suits you and is easy to remember.🐈🐈

[ihatebeetroot]

I take mine in the evening before bed and find that I usually sleep off the side effects, though sometimes feel a bit groggy in the morning for a while. When I first started on Methotrexate, 18 months ago, I took them in the morning but I found I felt wiped out in the afternoon. I never felt sick but really tired. Everyone is different it seems.

[Lovetodanceto]

Well hey there Bobbiebella I was really nervous about taking it as well. I took my first dose this week at 11pm. Am extremely fatigued at the moment however I've heard that the fatigue is one of the side effects and tends to settle after a few weeks however I've had fatigue since I was a teenager and I'm 49 now well lol. Well really really am hoping that it works for ya 😀

[Runrig01]

I take it in the evening after I d eaten, then I sleep through any side effects. Once I took it in the morning as I’d held off as hubby had a COVID test, so I took when his negative result came back. Ended up having to go back to bed and slept for 3hrs

[Flor1rence]

hi Bobbiebella, I have injections now and inject tonight before I sleep. I have had MTX for 5 to 6 years and generally feel okay if a little tired so I have the weekend to relax if need be 😉hope you tablets are okay for you, I am sure you will be fine. The difference between me not taking it is huge so it's part of me now! good luck x

[lily2003]

I take tablets and started taking them Friday evening because I was worried about side effects. But this year, after over a year of taking it with no side effects, I switched to Saturday morning since that is when I take my folic acid, D, and B12. It had slipped my mind one Friday night and now, this way, that won't happen.

I know I'm fortunate that I never sense any side effects. I take 15 mg right now. My rheumy and I are discussing going back down a bit, because I've been in "remission" for over a year.