Posted , 3 users are following.
I never drink liquor because I'm on opiates. But this morning I was going to have a mimosas. Just one, no big deal. But I just read online that alcohol does not mix with methotrexate well. Does this mean absolutely none, like I'll die or do serious bodily harm or is this just your average warning. Does anyone know?
0 likes, 5 replies
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Nefret amkoffee
Posted
I've always felt it was a general warning (apart from when I was on warfarin) and no-one has ever said I should not drink at all. (I was on methotrexate for 2 years).
amkoffee Nefret
Posted
Thank you for your answer. I didn't even think about it but I was looking it up for something else and it said in bold letters "serious warning. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication". So it was the way it said serious that concerned me.
EileenH amkoffee
Posted
My friend in Scotland who is on mtx was told by her rheumy it was fine to have an occasional glass. I think it probably depends on the person - and it is a fairly standard warning since mtx does go for the liver. But this question was asked ages ago and I did a load of research about it. There was a superb article about it on rawarrior, the writer of the blog does a lot of research and asks for other peoples experiences too, she has a lot about it. Google rawarrior methotrexate and you'll get a link.
She says most US doctors say 2 drinks per month - in Europe we are more generous! And says:
"There are not a lot of scientific trials studying alcohol, RA and methotrexate. However, in 2006, a study of 550 RA patients demonstrated “Alcohol consumption did not correlate with hepatic (liver) injury…” The average consumption of alcohol for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in the study was 5 units per week. (I suppose that units are standard-sized drinks.) The researchers also found that methotrexate-treated Psoriatic Arthritis patients were at greater risk for liver toxicity than Rheumatoid Arthritis patients treated with methotrexate are.
Hidden among the other blockbusters from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) scientific meeting last October were two reports regarding alcohol and methotrexate. Rheumatoid Arthritis patients use methotrexate more than any other drug. And many of them consume alcohol. So, I’m glad someone is looking at this.
One study of almost 900 RA’ers demonstrated an inverse relationship with alcohol consumption to both incidence and severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This confirms something which has been shown previously: “Alcohol associates with a lower risk for rheumatoid arthritis.” There is no implication of causality. The researchers did conclude that further study is needed.
A second study presented at ACR examined methotrexate-taking RA patients classified as alcohol “drinkers” and alcohol “abstainers.”They found “no difference in the percentage of drinkers (34%) and abstainers (34%) having at least one abnormal LFT (liver function test) result.” The “drinkers” tended to report less pain. It was concluded that further study is necessary, acknowledging that many RA patients taking methotrexate do continue to drink."
So - enjoy your mimosa!!!! And enjoy your read too!
amkoffee EileenH
Posted
I appreciate your information. Thank you. I actually ended up drinking only 1/2 of one because it upset my stomach. Funny I guess I've turned into a light weight. LOL
EileenH amkoffee
Posted