MTX and Anti inflammatorys!

[Kate2628]

Can anyone help? Having really bad flare up, 3rd one in 4 months, lm on MTX always took Ibuprofen, not sure if l should, can anyone recommend another anti inflammatory that’s okay with MTX, really appreciate your advice. Thanks Kate

[KittyJ]

You need to check with your doctors if that’s ok for you and any other meds you take. I take ibuprofen with mtx but that’s me and been ok’d by my doctors. I hope you get sorted soo 🤗

[vonniesims]

You really need to ask a pharmacist. My GP said no to brufen with Methotrexate

[Jollyjill]

I am on MXT 15mg/week & my Rheumatologist has prescribed Diclofenac 75 mg which I take on as needed basis. It works really well.

[Boxerlady]

As others have said, check with your team. My rheumy nurse told me to take paracetamol and ibuprofen when I was having problems; I was able to stop them after my medications (including Methotrexate) kicked in. Recently the consultant advised me to use ibuprofen gel for a specific joint for 2 weeks and if that doesn't work, he'll tweak my medication.

[bpeal1]

If possible check with your rheumatology team. If that’s not possible speak to your local pharmacist.

[Denise44]

Naproxen? If its really bad ask for a steroid injection.

[Madmusiclover]

No but it sounds like your RA might not be under control! Other drugs are available….

[Langers2]

I take steroid tablets and celecoxib with my methotrexate, but when I was still in alot of pain, rheumatologist upped my methotrexate dosage. Definitely speak with your rheumatologist x

[Peptink in reply to Langers2]

Just curious. Did that increase help? I’m on 15mg of MTX as well. I started 4 months ago and so far nothing. I’m due to visit my rheumatologist next week. Thanks!

[Langers2 in reply to Peptink]

Yes! It made such a difference. Don't get me wrong, I still have the odd flare up but nothing like it was. I use to have sleepless nights with the pain, but since being on the medication, it's been a godsend. I emailed my rheumatologist and explained how I was still in pain and I couldn't wait till my next review appointment, and he replied and told me to up my methotrexate dosage and amended my prescription all via email. Let us know what your rheumatologist advises you. Good luck x

[Peptink in reply to Langers2]

Thanks, I sure will! I currently take 3mg of prednisone that I’m weaning off.

[smilelines]

I was told that I could take Tylenol for the pain. No Advil or Ibuprofen because it is metabolized in the liver like the methotrexate so the liver can be overworked.

[Trees17]

My rheumy nurse told me that ibuprofen is fine with methotrexate. I was told to first try paracetamol though.

[Daisy70]

I was told I could take MTX with my current Sulphalazine - although I haven’t. I’m hanging in there for biologics.

Good luck 🤞

[Vickie100 in reply to Daisy70]

If your in the UK NICE recommendations insist that you try methotrexate before being offered biologicals. As it is cheaper and widely successful for treatment.

[helixhelix in reply to Daisy70]

Why don’t you want to try MTX? It’s can be brilliant, and has been for me. Although the threshold to be allowed biologics is lower now in UK, they are still restricted to people with more severe disease who have tried and failed on MTX and at least one other drug.

[Daisy70 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi there, helixhelix. I’ve been on MTX and was nauseous all the time and lost lots of my hair. I felt awful on it. The Rheumy has said it’s time for me to be on a biologic.

[helixhelix in reply to Daisy70]

Great for you! If you’ve been in MTX already then you’ve done that stage.

[Daisy70]

Thanks Kate. I didn’t know that.

[helixhelix]

I take ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories. We are well monitored so any potential problems can be picked up.

The books say these are contraindicated, so pharmacists will tell you this. However my rheumy was clear that this is an acceptable compromise, and very low risk because we are monitored.

[AgedCrone]

You should not take ibuprofen or any anti inflammatory ……. unless it is prescribed by your doctor.We here cannot recommend any drugs…& if somebody does say they take Xx & it suits them…that does not mean is is safe for somebody else.

So off to the Doc is your answer I’m afraid!🤓

[bienassis]

Hello Kate2628

Anti - inflammatory meds. come and go - now in favour, now not.

I took diclofenic for years with methotrexate without comment from the rheumy. My GP renewed the prescriptions regularly until one day, out of the blue, he said "no more diclofenic". It was suddenly out of favour because of adverse effects on the stomach.

Stopping it made no difference anyway - I concluded I hadn't needed it. Ibuprofen is another one I've been warned against for long-term use. In fact, I've never taken it.

The only one I get the green light for is paracetamol - but even that has to be used carefully.

You are having frequent flares - that is not good; if I were you I would seek advice about your main medication. If the methotrexate is not "holding" the disease, you need a review - perhaps it's time for a biologic; you don't mention a biologic so I assume you aren't taking one.

[Downtime]

It’s best to check with your GP. I’ve taken Brufen Retard every day for the six years I’ve had RA . It was prescribed by my rheumatologist who said it was fine to take italongside the Mxt. One GP I saw was horrified but my rheumatologist just dismissed it and said that these days due to various guidelines they were always trying to reduce patient’s NSAID s. . I have OA which is now more painful the the RA so it helps enormously . Without it life is pretty miserable. 😐