Should I suspend my methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine until my covid is over?

[Hellerup]

I have RA and take methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. Today I tested positive for Covid. Should I stop taking them until I'm better?

[KittyJ]

We can’t answer that, you really need to ask your doctors. Have they not discussed what you should do before now?

[Hellerup in reply to KittyJ]

No

[Button_]

Hi, hope you're not feeling too lousy with COVID! I used to be on Methotrexate and stopped that if I was very unwell/needed antibiotics etc until I recovered and then restarted. As it probs impedes your recovery but probs worth checking with your GP or Rheumy nurse etc. Not sure re hydroxychloroquine, that may still be ok to take. Hope you feel better soon! : )

[Hellerup in reply to Button_]

Thanks! I tried checking with my consultant and my GP but all I got was answering machines. Poor NHS. Then I spoke to three people at 111, and rang three pharmacists, only one of whom answered the phone and said it was fine ! But different websites say different things so I think I will suspend operations until I'm better and the brain fog has cleared

[Button_ in reply to Hellerup]

Oh no, it's hard work sometimes isn't it trying to get hold of someone who can give you a definitive answer. Think that sounds a sensible move. Hopefully you will be on the mend soon!

[Mandalou]

Hi Hellerup, hope Covid is a mild bout for you.

Im not on Mthx , but on Benepali and Hydroxy. Ive had Covid to my knowledge three times now. The first and worst being when there was no tests in March 2020.

Each time Ive stopped the Benepali but carried on with the Hydroxy.

I had the antiviral infusion the second time around and my third dose of Covid was like a cold that never got going.

Im sorry you have had such a rotten time getting through to anyone. Very frustrating.

When my 6 monthly appointment with my Rheumy didnt come through I phoned up after 8 months and they said yeah we are getting round to it. Its now been 13 months and Ive not heard anything. They know I still exist because my prescription gets sent from the hospital to Sciensus. I sort my own blood tests with the GP. Its crazy really to be on immunosuppressants with barely any supervision. Hey ho!

Hope you feel better soon,

Mx

[Hellerup in reply to Mandalou]

Thanks Mandalou, that is very interesting. It's true, there is not much ongoing supervision, and in the time of Covid that seems a bit daft. In the end I got through to a private consultant today whom I saw during the pandemic when I couldnt reach my GP, and she confirmed to stop taking Mex until better and to ask the GP for some anti-virals. I will do that, through some weird online at 8 am process! But on the way, I had a chemist who told me it was abso fine to keep taking it, so you have to persevere with these questions! Thanks again.

[Gottarelax]

Hi Hellerup. Sorry you've got COVID. I had it earlier this year. It was yuck but the worst was over in 3-4 days. Hope you recover quickly. I did miss my MTX dose as it was right in the middle of the worst part. Here are the NICE guidelines...

How should my management vary when considering the possibility of COVID-19?

In people with rheumatoid disease with known or suspected to have COVID‑19, the recommendations are that they should:

Continue hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine.

Not suddenly stop prednisolone.

Only have corticosteroid injections if the person has significant disease activity and there are no alternatives.

Discuss with their specialist before doing so.

Temporarily stop other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, and biological therapies.

Advise the person to contact their rheumatology department for advice on when to restart treatment.

Be aware that people having immunosuppressant treatments may have atypical presentations of COVID-19. For example, people taking prednisolone may not develop a fever and those taking interleukin 6 inhibitors may not develop a rise in C-reactive protein.

If a person not previously known or suspected to have COVID-19 shows symptoms at presentation, follow UK government guidance on investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases.

When people with known or suspected COVID-19 have been identified, follow appropriate UK government guidance on infection prevention and control.

[Hellerup in reply to Gottarelax]

Thanks so much, that is really useful!

[welsh12 in reply to Hellerup]

Feel your pain with any information from Hospital or GP good advice above. I see people also get the anti viral but early on. I am on same meds as you so already looked at info in case i get the blooming covid again. had it once before on meds which triggered RA

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Gottarelax]

Hi - please include a link to where you found the nice guidelines - many thanks

[Gottarelax in reply to lindyloo2018]

This guideline no longer seems to be available online...perhaps it is considered that C19 should be treated like any other viral infection now.

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Gottarelax]

many thanks, I could not find anything either..

[welsh12]

Rephrase before I took RA meds I had covid