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Alcohol and Methotrexate?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jeremyr48
Jeremyr48

I know this has probably been asked before, but i dont know if i should be drinking with it. I started taking methotrexate about 2 years ago for crohns disease. Im taking a 25mg dose through injection every week. I was never told by the doctors that i wasnt supposed to drink with it, but that's probably because i wasnt legal drinking age yet. But since i turned 19 (I live in Canada) i have been going out partying with my friends a lot. I would drink over half a pint of dark rum some nights. I have never noticed any effects mixing that with the methotrexate, and i rarely even get hungover which suprises a lot of people. I just found out the other day that i shouldnt drink while on methotrexate and now I'm concerned if i should change my drinking habits. I do get sick feeling for 1 or 2 days after my injection which is every friday, and i would drink the same day i got the shot and the day after most times. So what do you guys think?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • gillian_25383
    gillian_25383 Jeremyr48

    Posted

    It is recommended that you do not drink on methotrexate but if you do it should be rarely and low level;definitely not at your level.Sorry!
  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 Jeremyr48

    Posted

    I think American doctors believe you shouldn't drink at all with methotrexate but many British ones say you can drink within the guidelines for safe drinking - which until recently was 21units a week for men but has now been lowered to 14 units. My consultant said it was find to drink in moderation.

    I'm on 15 mg mtx and rarely drink more than 7 units a week - but never on the same day as I take mtx and usually not for a few days after.

    Presumably you have your blood tested once a month like over here - that includes a liver function test which would show if you were doing too much damage I imagine.

    Would be tough to abstain entirely at your age so I would be inclined to say you should go alcohol free for a few days around the time you take your mtx - but absolutely don't binge drink on the other days. But that's just my personal view - the best person to advise you would be your GP

    • Jeremyr48
      Jeremyr48 Dinah54

      Posted

      Thanks for your feedack, im switching to another drug soon for it anyways, i find the MTX isnt helping mucn anymore. So im probably going to stop drinking until then anyways, maybe have a beer or 2 here and there but thats it. I havent had my blood tested since decemeber, they dont do testing every month here. But ive never noticed any ill effects. The last time i drank was over our week break in march, i was drunk 4 out of 7 days. Had no problems then.
    • gillian_25383
      gillian_25383 Jeremyr48

      Posted

      Good luck.Here in England where I live atleast they insist on monthly blood tests and rheumy nurse every 3months and consultant yearly.Mind you I have inflammatory arthritis so the protocol may be different.
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