Side effects of Methotrexate

[shanahamza]

What are the side effects of methotrexate? Will it cause early menopause?

[PMRpro]

Why are you asking? Do you have vasculitis and it is being suggested you are put on methotrexate?

Early menopause is usually associated with the use of drugs as chemotherapy in cancer - not just methotrexate, and at very high doses. When methotrexate is used for rheumatological or vasculitic disorders the doses are very much lower but even so are not recommended for use during pregnancy and patients taking mtx who wish to conceive are switched to other drugs. That alone suggests that low dose mtx does not usually cause early menopause.

[Hidden]

You could google it for more in depth reading. It should be discussed with your doctor before they put you on it, which will give you the opportunity to explore other options if necessary. There will also be a leaflet inside the box but that means you're already on it so not much help. My consultant gave me leaflets on methotrexate and another option, to read so I could discuss with her on my next visit.

[Christophene47]

I will take PMRpro's advice on the menopause /pregnancy issue; don't know the answer, but I take( 6) 2.5mg tablets every Monday, and I have had thankfully no side effects; I give it credit for tampering down the pain that returns while tapering off Prednisone. That is "low dose" . You can certainly find out on google, I 'm sure.

Good luck..

[optimist-ok]

I cannot comment on the effects on early menopause as I had a hysterectomy aged 37. However, I had Methotrexate for I year. I didn’t notice any side effects nor any benefits! But I was taken off this as I had a severe bout of shingles, apparently Methotrexate can trigger this. Hope this helps. Good luck healthwise.