Any advice on stopping/continuing methotrexate in relation to Covid and flu vaccines

[Myles2022]

Advice on stopping or continuing methotrexate regarding Covid and flu vaccinations

[Amnesiac3637]

Hi. If you look on the related posts to the right of yours you’ll see lots of others have asked this very question. 👍😄

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Miles, welcome. Yes, there are lots of posts concerning this, but being new you maybe need some help to navigate. You'll see a heading Related Posts. You should find answers there, however, it's not completely straightforward.

I've been on MTX 13 years & my personal experience is for the previous 5 Covid vaccines I didn’t halt my MTX after but I did for my 6th (3rd booster) according to British Society of Rheumatology. As it happens I had my flu vaccine a few days before the Covid one but otherwise I’ve never halted MTX for it in all the years I've had it, which must be around 16 years.

What I would suggest is you ask your Rheumy for his/her thoughts. It may be that if you’re not particularly well controlled it wouldn’t be recommended. I'm not poorly controlled but it still sent me into a small flare. As different as we are so is our RD & our responses to meds & vaccines. He/she has your history & can weigh up your options.

I hope this helps & you find being her helpful too. We can share experiences but not anything specifically medical as, like you, we are just people with arthritis & not medically qualified. Anything else we're happy to share! 😊

[Myles2022 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for the reply and useful information 👍

[nomoreheels in reply to Myles2022]

You're welcome.

[Paula-C]

I've seen the following.

Covid vaccination and mtx

[Myles2022 in reply to Paula-C]

Thanks for advice I think I will follow this, vaccines due sixth dose, next week and will halt methotrexate after vaccine at least one week possibly two. Helpful info.

[nomoreheels in reply to Paula-C]

That's where I found the info Paula, the first time I've tried doing it but unfortunately regretted doing so. Might be ok for others though if they're well controlled.

[14bubbles]

I have my vaccine booked for next week and having read about people stopping and people not stopping I contacted my rheumatology department for advice, they advised me to continue taking it...as others have said, they are the best to get advice from as they know your history

[Myles2022 in reply to 14bubbles]

Thank you

[SpaghettiIsGood in reply to 14bubbles]

My first rheum office said they tell all their patients to keep taking it. No individualized advice there!

[SpaghettiIsGood]

I've stopped meds when sick. You heal quicker because your immune system isn't being blocked, but, the disease progresses for the worse without the med.

[KASHMIRI1]

I was advised to stop Methotrexate for two weeks after any vaccine. It worked fine for me

[Myles2022 in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Thanks for info

[Egpa in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Me tooooo.

[Sheila_G]

Hi I stopped mxt for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after covid jabs and boy am I suffering for it now. I wouldn't leave it that long again.

[Myles2022 in reply to Sheila_G]

Listening to you, thanks

[Baradlay in reply to Sheila_G]

I had to stop taking it for two weeks too. It has been 4 weeks now but still not recovered. I think you can leave out for one week without any problem but two weeks can cause issues.

[Sheila_G in reply to Baradlay]

Absolutely. My Rheumatologist, this week, said to leave 2 weeks after. No need to leave off before9

[Retirednhs]

You need to stop Methotrexate for 2 doses after having it normally ask your RA dept

[helenlw7]

I’ve been on mtx since 2006 and only missed one dose when I had really bad gastroenteritis and couldn’t keep anything down. I asked my rheumatologist for advice before my first Covid vaccination and she advised me not to stop taking it. She said, because my RA is unstable, I would probably go into a massive flare if I stopped it.

I’m on the waiting list for a knee replacement and am dreading it because of having to stop my RA meds.

[Runrig01]

advice has changed as the pandemic progressed, with stable patients being advised to stop 2 weeks after the dose. The vroom study mentioned above showed those who stopped MTX, developed over double the antibodies of those who did not. Check with your rheumatologist but if stable I would stop due the 2 weeks.

hospitalhealthcare.com/covi...

[Myles2022 in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for info as my RA is relatively stable I will hope fully increase antibodies by stopping one possibly two doses of mtx

[Ritaritis]

Good morning, I'm 64 and had my covid and flu jabs last week. I was told it was okay to carry on with my medication as the jabs would not affect them in any way. My only reaction to the jabs was 2 painful shoulders and very tired /sleepy for the next 24 hours.🐕🐕