Rheumatoid arthritis patients who have not responded to their first course of methotrexate, especially if the first course was a low-dose (10 mg or less per week), may still derive benefit from a second course of methotrexate.
Arthritis Research and Therapy published study results from researchers at the Medical University of Vienna. The researchers concluded that re-treatment with methotrexate may be a treatment option of value, especially for patients who cannot use other disease-modifying medications, especially the newer biologic drugs.
In the study, 79 patients had a second methotrexate treatment that lasted at least a year, having stopped their first treatment for side effects or ineffectiveness. 53.2 percent found their second course with methotrexate effective.
Related Resources:
- The Facts of Methotrexate
- Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Methotrexate: 10 Things You Should Know
- Arthritis Drugs: What Are My Options?
- Is Methotrexate Injection Better Than Oral Methotrexate?
Share Your Advice and Experiences:
Photo by Garrett Bautista (iStockphoto)
I would like to regain my muscle mass in my legs, arms & abs, what type of low impact work outs can I do to achieve my goal. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago the pain of this disease has been horrific I never knew your joints could hurt! It left me depressed, weight loss 28 lbs & wondering why did this happen to me! I had a lot of friends praying for me & finally found a doctor who diagnosed me correctly; I have so much to say but for now I want to feel healthy again and look as fit as I can (like my old self). Thanks
I was diagnosed with RA 18 mos ago and on placquinil and Celebrex. The rheumatologist wants me to start taking mexotrixate and folic acid. I am scared to take the chemo drug with all the side affects, but in so much pain I can hardly stand it. Is there anyone out there that can shed some light on this med.
I have been on Methotrexate for 5 years, I was on pill form first which left me sick, I would have 3 good days out of a week but was on the full dose that could be taken. As I have severe RA. Within the last 2 years I have been on injections and can tolerate it much better and it has help slow things down. The day I take my injection I am a little sick to my stomach but by the next day just a little tired but will take that over being sick for 4 days out of a week.
have had ra 2years now but just diagnosed a year ago the tablets am on are hydroxychloroquine sulphate and diclofenac my doctor is determined to get me on to methotrexate but i dont like the idea at all to many side affects but i feel pressured into taking them i went into holland and barret as i was told there are other supplements u can take as soon as i said to the doc she said oh they wont work the girl in the shop said that would be the reaction i would get but am a guinea pig to hospital tablets so truthfully what is the diffrence
Methotrexate 2.5 mg. – I am currently and have been on Meth for a year in addition to Plaquenil/folic acid & Tramadol. I have not experienced side effects – Yes Methotrexate is a form of chemo, the folic acid helps in reducing side effects – in addition to talking my meds I eat in case the meds are too strong the food help absorb and line my stomach – everyone’s effect is DIFFERENT. Methotrexate helped me considerably my inflammation was 85% – My advice regarding health food remedies ARE- if you have a Chronic condition You need Real Medicine! please follow your “Doctor’s” orders – he/she is trying to find the correct med that YOUR BODY WILL RESPOND TOO!
I take 6 meth tablets x 2.5mg a week for the last 6 months and trust me, the benefits I have experienced far outweigh the side effects. Its important to remain positive when taking meds like this. The “chemo” thing lodged in my brain 4 ages, but talk it thru with ur specialist. It really could be the modification your joints are crying out for.
I have been on methotrexate (8 x 2.5mg) for 4 years, and couldn’t be happier. I was extremely lucky. My symptons were of rapid onset, and I was diagnosed correctly by the first doctor I saw. Within 6 months I was seeing a rhuematologist and was noticing a marked improvement in symptoms.
Today I am symptom free 98% of the time. The only side effects I’ve had are mild nausea a little tired the day after my dose. Nothing I can’t plan around.
My advice would be to try it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Last month I was diagnose with Wegener’s which makes me no happy…I am currently on Methotrexate 6 pils a day weekly. I haven’t experienced any side effect, and am wondering if somebody have had loose hair because of this medication. I am taking folic acid and vitamin D.
My R/A came on very quickly in July 2010, I was diagnosed in Sept! Shoulders, wrists, hands and knees, all within 2 months.
Steroids eased the terrible initial pain.
I am now on a triple course of drugs including methotrexate as well as lower dose of steroids. I stop the steroids in three weeks, I hope the remaining drugs do the job. I have had NO side effects so far.
The attention I received at my local Haywood Hospital has been fantastic!!!
I struggled with progressive pain beginning in early July, 2010. My primary care physician decided it was “all in my head”. My ankles and feet got so bad, I tried acupuncture and finally went to an orthopedic clinic, which diagnosed Achillis tendonitis in one leg! I went through the physical therapy while the pain migrated to my wrists. I was alternately on prednisone, which helped control the pain. I went back to the primary care physician twice and also broke my ankle and foot before I was referred to a rheumatologist in January 2011. His intital treatment was brutal! He took me off prednisone for several weeks to see what happened, but finally diagnosed RA, which had moved into my hands by this time. The pain was incredible without the predinisone. I am now taking 7 tablets of methotrexane, 15 mgs of prednisone and folic acid daily. Improvement is slow and steady. I have mild side effects but I am optimistic. My message is to keep pursuing the correct diagnosis, even when the doctors initially get it wrong. You know your own body.
Has anyone experienced hair loss after taking Methotrexate?
Thanks
I started Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate 200mgs a day in October, and seems to be helping. However not long after I started getting constant tingling down my right arm, not just sitting down but when walking around. 2 weeks ago I started getting tingling all over the right side of my face – across my forehead, nose, around the mouth, down neck and sometimes on the trunk of my body on again on the right side. Yesterday I was cleared of having had a possible mini stroke after investigations. Has anybody else experienced these sort of side effects with this drug? I’d be grateful if anyone could shed any light on my tingling. Thank you
I have been on Methotrexate for 2 1/2 years. I have had marked hair thinning, But it has helped my hand, knee, joint pain considerably. Sometimes I get nauseous and sometimes experience headaches and more pain on the day I take the medicinel. Doctor says headaches a side effect. Does anyone experience headaches with methotrexate. I take 8 pills a week (2.5mg) each. You have to weigh what is more important, pain relief or hair loss.
I have been on Methotrexate 12.5mg for 7 months now. I have remarked improvement in joint pain. However, I am having hair loss (on Folic Acid and it’s helping), headaches, nausea, dizziness, and more recently loss of thought. I forget what I am doing from one moment to the next. I am only 36, not quite ready for dimensia! Thinking of trying injectables….
I have been on methotrexate (8 x 2.5mg) Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tabs 200MG /folic acid since 2009, and II was extremely lucky. No big symptoms’ onset, I am seeing a rheumatologist that noticing a remacavel improvement. She thinks that I am in remission.
Along with Doctor’s meds, I take lots of different vitamins like: Vit D, Fish oil =1200mg.-Calcium= 600 mg, Acai, Krill oil, calcium….
I am so happy now…there was a time when I could not get dress, drive or even washing my face. For my hands were always hurting and swelling Took a while to get here, it would take long time to list all the things I took.
Good luck to all God bless
Aldinha
I am on Methotreate for 3 months now. There is a remarkable improvement in my RA symptoms. Though sometimes I experience nausea, headaches and tiredness. I am fully normal doing all my work myself. I suggest Methotrexate is good for RA, atleast in my case it has been a boon. Don’t worry too much about the side effects afterall the side effects are temporary as they diminish over a period of time and are totally gone once the dosage is stopped.
I have been taking 6 pills 2.5mg every Wednesday for 3 months in that time I have gotten sores in my mouth which makes it hard to eat other than something like yougurt or cottage cheese and I have also een having severe lower back pain. The back pain has been inteferring with my everyday chores
Taking 5 pills per day for a year and half, no side effects, feel a lot better. Have diffuse scloradorma (don,t know how to spell that big word) bet reading other people’s comments is scaring me
Glad to read all this coments. I just took my first dose of methotrexate and of course I am scared to death. I have Lupus and Sjogren’s. I am taking Plaquenil and prednisone but the arthritis is really bad and affecting my daily life. So here, lets see what happen but glad to here that it might help as soon as second dose, can wait!
Taking methotrexate 7.5 with Folic Acid, 1mg. Rapid relief and no side effects. My labs were negative for rheumatoid factor, but all symptoms were RA. Asked my MD to try this and he allowed it. So grateful! For side effects of memory loss, try Huperzine-A, 200 mcg, 2 tabs twice each day. It is non-prescription. Consumer Labs tested, good brand is Source Naturals. Excellent and rapid results.
I was diagnosed with RA 8 months ago. The symptoms resembled tendonitis but soon developed into a more severe issue causing pain and mobility issues. Found GP’s not very knowledgable at all, certainly wanted to help in any way they could but simply did not have the understanding of the disease. Finally found a specialist in RA who placed me on Methotrexate pills immediately, with terrible side effects, switched over to 1 each Methotrexate 25 MG injection a week, a daily folic acid pill and 4 PMS-Sulphasalazine EC 500 MG pills per day, the terrible pain, swelling and mobility issues were reduced to acceptable levels with minimal side effects. From the on-set of the RA symptoms to some level of remission about 5 months, today I am almost back to my old self at 61 years. Quite the trip!!