Amgevita (adalimumab) with methotrexate

[Sunshinereturns]

Hi there, I am on top dose methotrexate (25mg) and am due to start Amgevita. I can’t wait, it is necessary. The medication has finally been delivered and I have a date to go to hospital for supervised first injections (to check for possible reactions).

My issue is that my hospital appt (hard to come by and hard to change as the RA nurse has left an answering machine message saying don’t leave a message!) is on a Wednesday and that is the day I inject methotrexate each week. Is this going to be a problem, injecting both medications on the same day? I don’t want anything to mess up taking this first long-awaited dose!

[helixhelix]

it shouldn’t be, but you could always move your MTX injection to following day.

[Brian1977]

I would move it a day or 2 I used to take my methotrexate injections on a Monday them amgevita every 2nd Wednesday hope it works for you 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Brian1977]

Thanks for your reply. Do you think I should move my methotrexate day as I don’t think I can change my hospital appointment? Thanks

[Brian1977 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

Yeah defo

[Paula-C]

I wouldn't inject it, wait to see what the nurse says, you've got all day to inject mtx. I can't give advice on taking medication but I was told not to take enbrel and mtx on the same day by my nurse, to have a few days in-between. Her words....if you take them both on the same day your immune system gets a double whammy.

[oldtimer2]

I can't see why it should be a problem from the interaction point of view. A little inconvenient to give yourself two injections the same day, but easily got round.

[Nyreedw in reply to oldtimer2]

It's more about giving yourself a double whammy, plus if you have a reaction you won't know which one caused it. I was asked what day I took mtx so first injection was 48 hours apart. Same as never having 2 vaccines together or same day I take one of my meds x

[bpeal1]

If I were you I would hold off the methotrexate until after your appointment. When you’re at the hospital for your amgevita ask if you should take your methotrexate when you get home or wait a day or two.

[99Michelle]

As others have said, ask at the appointment, you can always inject metoject later in the day. However, I am in exactly the same position. I was on 22.5 metoject and started Amgevita about 2 years ago. I didn’t have to go to hospital for my first Amgevita injection, I just did it at home. I asked if I could inject both at the same time and was told there was no clinical reason why not, so that’s what I do, with no issues at all. Also, Amgevita has been a complete game changer for me, it worked quite quickly, I think within 4 weeks I started to see a difference and I’m now symptom free and living a relatively normal life. Hope you have the same experience.

[Sunshinereturns in reply to 99Michelle]

Thank you so so much for this message! It has made my day! Thank you x

[Akaka]

Hi, I was told not to take my injections the same day as methotrexate. Mine was delivered by Sciensus and they monitored me with the first 2 injections but prior to getting the injections they did ask what day I took methotrexate which was a Monday so my adalimumab was injected on a Wednesday. I’d move the methotrexate, good luck hope it works for you 🤞

[Pepperpot22]

I take methotrexate & amgevita. I was told to leave a day or two between them so I postponed the methotrexate by 2 days. They said there’s no interaction between the meds but still better to take on separate days. Gud luck with the amgevita. I’ve only been on it since December but feel much better!

[HeadInASpin]

hi Sunshinereturns Do you mind me asking…have you had to try other drugs to go with your MTX or were you offered this first off? I’m just trying to get a picture of what I can realistically expect from my next review, which has finally come through for 25 March. I’ve been I’m MTX since last May and can honestly say that I feel no better at all despite dose increases. I’ve read the NICE guidelines about failing two DMARDs before progressing but I’m losing patience with it tbh. I’m just starting to research the other meds so I’m a bit more prepared before I go. The nras booklet on meds is useful and the NHS website on each drug fills in any gaps.

[Sunshinereturns]

Hi there, yes, I was on sulfasalazine which made me feel totally well but absolutely wiped out my immune systems (WBC and neutrophils totally plummeted) so that was counted as two failings as sulfasalazine was dangerous for me and methotrexate isn’t enough on its own despite being such a high dose.

[Alabamadingdong]

I take these medications together on the same day - I was told that the Methotrexate aids the adalimumab - I haven't had any issues taking them on the same day, I inject each into different legs and it's easier to remember on the same day!

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Alabamadingdong]

Do they work well for you? I’m trying to collect positive stories!!

[Alabamadingdong]

Oh completely! The adalimumab has had no side effects with me and I haven't had a full blown flare since I started taking it, my methotrexate is also reduced now from 25mg to 10mg and together these have mostly stopped the RA activity! Good luck!

[Sunshinereturns in reply to Alabamadingdong]

Oh thank you! This is so great to hear!

[Anne_57]

I take both at same time, in thigh on same side fortnightly .Then the week I take just MTX I use the other thigh. Means I'm less likely to forget anything (!) and no probs to date.

[Sunshinereturns]

Thank you. That sounds a good routine!

[NanaFifi]

I think that’s really a question for a medical professional . . . . .

[Sunshinereturns in reply to NanaFifi]

It is but it’s so useful to hear from others and it’s been great hearing from others on the same medication combination. My healthcare professional is very hard to get hold of and obviously you gain expertise in your own condition through experience. I’m so grateful to this site.