Adalimumab and methotrexate together

[Suzibb]

hi, I’m wondering if anyone can help.

I’ve been on methotrexate for some time now. ( 2.5 mg 6 tablets a week) They then put me on the adalimumab injection every 2 weeks.

I assumed I wasn’t to take the methotrexate anymore and it was just the injection.

since having my telephone appointment last week she told me that I still need to take the methotrexate as well as the injection.

when I went to pick up my prescription the pharmacy told me that she’s never heard of that before and it’s either one or the other.

Now I’m a bit paranoid about taking my injection tonight.

I have tried contacting my consultant but I can’t get through.

Has anyone taking them together before?

thank you.

[HeadInASpin]

Hi Don't worry. The pharmacy is incorrect - the two are quite often given together. I've just started adalimumab and I am taking it alongside leflunomide as MTX isn't suitable for me personally. I'm sure someone else can give you the scientific reasons behind this but please don't worry it's perfectly normal. The consultant told me that they would only look at stopping the LEF if the disease goes into remission. Good luck...I hope you see the benefit soon x

[Suzibb in reply to HeadInASpin]

That makes me feel so much better, thank you so much x

[KittyJ]

biologics and mtx together are common, I was able to lowers my dose of mtx once my biologic worked but haven’t come off it. This might help,

“The anti-inflammatory effect of anti-TNF drugs can diminish over time because some people form antibodies against the drug; using methotrexate with the biologic may make this less likely”

[medway-lady]

The pharmacy is probably wrong I take AZA and inject Etanercept. But you could ring your hospital RA helpline to confirm .

[vonniesims]

I take both Methotrexate 20 mg , and its been fine

[virtualreality]

Just to add another voice to those above, it is common to take them both together so please don't worry! I take these too. But if you feel in any way concerned by what the pharmacy said to you, no harm in giving your rheumatology advice line a call just to confirm.

[nanny_bee71]

When I started on Adalimumab, I was told to continue with MTX - likewise I have just started on abatacept as the other one didn't agree with me and I am still told to continue with MTX - so i guess you should listen to your rheumy team and not the pharmacist on this issue

[Runrig01]

They definitely can be used together. One reason is the injection takes 3-6 month to get full effect. The other reason is it reduces the chance of your body making antibodies to the biologic, which would stop it working. I’ve been on Benepali and MTX 25mg for 8yrs. Your pharmacist is wrong, and your Consultant is correct. Depending how long you’ve been off MTX, they may need to change the frequency of your blood tests. I stopped for 12 weeks due to surgery, and my usual 3 monthly bloods, were changed to monthly, till stable again

[Sunshinereturns]

Wow, pharmacist totally wrong. I am on both, 25mg methotrexate and adalimumab and together they work like a dream for me.

Dangerous for a pharmacy to be giving out completely wrong advice!

[Potatos]

I've been on both since 2006. Work great for me. Methotrexate helps prevent you from making antibodies to the Adalimumab. It is a very standard treatment plan.

[LesJames]

Don't worry it is fine. I take 25mg of MTX and was on Adalimumab.

[Alozz]

I'm on both. They work really well. My specialist says we may take one away/reduce after a couple of years....

[MPan]

I was on both Methotrexate and Amgevita. My liver readings were high after some time and was forced to stop Methotrexate. Have been off it since last December.

[rmros]

Not only is it completely common to take the two together, it's recommended. The methotrexate can stop you building resistance to the biologic.

[CagneysMum]

The pharmacy is wrong I take both methotrexate and adalimumab. I’ve been able to decrease my methotrexate to 10 mg because the biologic is doing such a good job but my consultant is reluctant to stop it altogether because he says the two drugs work so well together.

[Otto11]

Hi I was on both Methotrexate & Humira for 12 years. In fact the consultant told me that it was better to have both as it would help prevent antibody build up against Humira. If in any doubt contact your Rheumy team. I would have also thought it would be in your clinic letter but you’ve probably not received it yet. As others have said your Pharmacist is wrong in this instance.

[Nyreedw]

I've taken Humira, original adalimumab and mtx for 10 years. Mtx stops the body building building up resistance and makes biologics work better. Regular pharmacies don't usually have any dealings with biologics as delivered directly from specialist pharmacies through the hospital. GPs also have virtually no knowledge of them either. They often tell people to carry on with them when ill or on antibiotics, which we don't. Fingers crossed they work well for you.