can anyone help?

[Kate2628]

lm starting Idacio tomorrow, still been asked to stay on MTX, even though it doesn’t seem to work anymore and makes me feel terrible, is there anyone who just takes Idacio on it’s own, ld be very grateful to know if it works on its own, thanks Kate .

[bpeal1]

Idacio is a biologic treatment (an adalimumab biosimilar). Biologics can work on their own but because they are a protein your body can make antibodies against them which stop them working. Methotrexate helps prevent this from happening which should mean the drug continues working for a longer time. However, I had really bad side effects from methotrexate so my rheumatologist allowed me to take leflunomide with my biologic instead of the methotrexate because it does a similar job. It’s definitely worth having a discussion with your rheumatologist.

[oldtimer2]

I have been able to gradually reduce my azathioprine since starting adalumimab, but it seems usual for the advice to be that you continue on the DMARD (disease modifying anti-arthritic drug) to prevent your body developing resistance to it. You may find that you can reduce your methotrexate, but if it makes you feel terrible, discuss the alternatives with your rhemy team. Have a look at the NRAS treatment pages for suggestions about alternatives.

[rmros]

I took Humira (the bio-original of Idacio) on its own. It was great at first but stopped working after about 9 months. A small amount of methotrexate can help prevent that happening, as well as augmenting the effects of the biologic. Maybe you can discuss reducing your methotrexate dose rather than stopping completely?