Filgotinib and Methotrexate with antivirals updat

[JulieMBrown]

As per my original post about stopping Filgotinib and MTX whilst taking antivirals, I had a mixed bag of replies from some people who had stayed on medication and some who had been advised to come off. I contacted my GP who told me to come of the MTX but admitted that he didn’t have the expertise to advise on the Filgotinib and suggested I ring the RA nurse advice line. I did so and was told that the earliest slot to speak to a nurse was next Monday so I had to leave a message for the RA secretary. She rang me back and told me that she would pass a message to the nurses but that they were short staffed and very busy so she wasn’t sure when I’d get a reply…. There’s a definite breakdown here. If you are prescribed medication that your GP does not commonly deal with and you need specialist advice about side effects etc, you are on your own - certainly in my area.

[AgedCrone]

If you are very concerned …You could always try 111…they will usually try to get someone qualified to speak to you.

[JulieMBrown in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks for the reply. I went through 111 initially and the on call doctor told me to continue on all my medication. That’s at odds with what my GP said who told me to stop the MTX until I’ve finished the antivirals, so it’s just waiting for a response about the Filgotinib. My thought is that they will take me off it as well to give me a chance to heal, so if I don’t hear anything today I’ll just stop the tablets until I do.

[Madmusiclover in reply to JulieMBrown]

Yes, your choice.

[Otto11]

Hi as you have a virus then I would think you should stop Biologics until you are recovered. I had severe flu in March & told to stop taking Biologics when reviewed after 7 weeks I was told I could restart. Obviously I’m not a dr so it’s up to you. My Rheumy team usually call back in about 5 days too. Like you say if it’s urgent like you are then the system fails. I hope you feel better soon.

[JulieMBrown]

Hi Otto, thanks very much for your reply. The consultant got back to me yesterday to tell me to stop the Filgotinib and the MTX until my lip has completely healed. I ended up leaving a message with the secretary and she passed it on. Filgotinib is a JAK Inhibitor and is considered a non-biological DMARD, although the pre screening for the drug includes all the testing undertaken before biologics are prescribed so it makes sense that the advice regarding pausing the medication in particular circumstances remains the same as you point out.