Methatrexate and hair loss.

[Kyrenia]

I have been prescribed Mtx for RA as well as dealing with a flare of GCA. Can’t sleep like many people and thinking of trying Amatriptalene. My main concern is hair loss whilst taking Mtx. Im contemplating taking a supplement to try to combat this. I have only recently managed to get my hair back to normal after being on pred for two years. Been free of GCA for a year but now on a flare🙈

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If this is meant to be a query then look at related posts, or FAQs - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

there are posts about MTX and hair.Or was it meant as a reply to another post?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The only supplement that is likely to make much difference to hair loss with MTX is the folic acid you should have been prescribed alongside the MTX - and enough of it. Some people need as much as 5mg per day 6 times a week and a lot of rheumies don't give out that much.

[Linny3 in reply to PMRpro]

I have read that we shouldn't take folic acid on the days we are taking the mtx.? What do you think?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

Bit of dispute about that - some say it interferes with the MTX, others say it doesn't but it doesn't seem worth taking it on the MTX day just in case. I'm not sure how MTX would interact with the folic acid,

[JanetRosslyn]

I lost a lot of hair when I started MTX, handfuls on my pillow every morning and clogging up the plughole in the bath and shower. Rheumy increased my Folic Acid to 5mg 6 days a week and now my hair is thicker than it has ever been. I had no other side effects from the MTX.

[Linny3]

Taking a collagen product has helped me a lot. I have very little hair loss since being on it.

[Peptink in reply to Linny3]

Is that a pill form of collagen?

[Linny3 in reply to Peptink]

No it is a powder. I buy Dr. Axe's collagen, seems like a really good product.

[Peptink in reply to Linny3]

Thanks so much. I’ll look and see if I can find it.