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Methotrexate and supplements

Posted , 12 users are following.

shirlee86000
shirlee86000

Hi anyone who is reading this, I take a vitamin d each day and fish oil but I believe there are some supplements that can conflict with methotrexate, e.g. Immune boosting being the main culprit, my question is does anyone know if I can take probiotics

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH shirlee86000

    Posted

    For safety - ask your doctor or a pharmacist. I can't see why you can't take probiotics though - but a specialist is the best person to ask.

    • shirlee86000
      shirlee86000 EileenH

      Posted

      Hi Eileen

      Yes I will, I go for my monthly blood test tomorrow.

  • martin31040
    martin31040 shirlee86000

    Posted

    Hi, I eat probiotic yoghurt and drink homemade milk Kefir it's a strong probiotic and I have no problems, never heard of any issues with medications, you could ask GP if he knows any reason not to have probiotics.

    • shirlee86000
      shirlee86000 martin31040

      Posted

      Yes I will, thankyou, I know that definately anti biotics are a no no you have to stop taking methotrexate while on them, mind you it's difficult as say you get a weeks supply on the same day or the day after you took methotrexate you would have to wait until the next week I guess to start taking them, not sure how that works

    • Justgettinby
      Justgettinby shirlee86000

      Posted

      I had to take antibiotics for a UTI and I didn't have to stop taking the MTX... No one ever said anything about it. I think this is the case with a biologic - which I'm not on, but not MTX. Maybe others here have more info on this?

    • EileenH
      EileenH Justgettinby

      Posted

      Normally it is recommended that mtx be stopped if you require abx for an infection - just to allow the immune system a better chance to work against the infection as it should do.
    • Justgettinby
      Justgettinby EileenH

      Posted

      hmm... interesting that they have never told me this, but then again I'm really never "sick" in that sense what with my super-immunity always busy attacking my body and all. When I was on the antibiotic, it was for 5 days and I started it the day after my MTX shot.

    • eileen75827
      eileen75827 Justgettinby

      Posted

      Maybe it depends on the type of infection and strength of antibiotics being used? My mother has been on MTX for a while but recently was admitted to hospital with a bad case of cellulitis.  She was given IV antibiotics initially for several days, and then oral antibiotics for a week. During this time the MTX was stopped and her steroids were increased temporarily. MTX was re-started once the antibiotics had been finished.
  • tony35673
    tony35673 shirlee86000

    Posted

    My Rheumatologist suggested it so I started taking them.   Didn't do anything so I stopped.

    • Yayayo
      Yayayo tony35673

      Posted

      probiotics? dont they boost the immune though? im on MTX too.

  • Jayjay1959
    Jayjay1959 shirlee86000

    Posted

    I have been on calcium and vitamin D x2 daily for 10 years also take

    forceval multi vitamins

    Never been told to stop MTX even when on antibiotics

    Never tried probiotics

    My pharmacist is pretty good with advice so maybe yours can help

  • shirlee86000
    shirlee86000

    Posted

    Thanks so much for replying everyone, very interesting to know that methotrexate doesn't have to stop on certain antibiotics, maybe different hospitals around the world have different ideas I guess

    • Yayayo
      Yayayo shirlee86000

      Posted

      weren't you asking about probiotics and NOT antibiotics? i think some people don't know what probiotics are lol

  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 shirlee86000

    Posted

    I think being proactive with healthy practices, rather than taking pills only, is wonderful. Just clear it with your rheumatologist first. Taking your meds as prescribed is a good first step but following up with your vitamin D, taking some turmeric, juices, etc. is helpful. Also physical exercise; gardening, walking, sky diving, etc.cheesygrin
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