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Mothotrexate with Alcohol

Posted , 5 users are following.

bob_2020
bob_2020

Hi i was diagnosed with RA just this year and i am on methotrexate 15mg but was incresed to 20mg as of yesterday with the festive season looming is it safe to have a few drinks taking MTX i know you are not supposed to drink taking any medication...if your allowed is it just 1 glass of wine or half pint of beer and if there bad side effects with alcohol i would rather not have anything at all just thought i would post to ask... thanks..

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 bob_2020

    Posted

    I don't take Methotrexate yet. I expect my rheumatologist to prescribe it at my next appointment. I've obviously researched it and of what I do know is that the drug affects the liver and if you also drink alcohol there's increased risk. Reading on other forums people do drink but in moderation and not around the days you take the tablet.
  • mrsmop
    mrsmop bob_2020

    Posted

    I have just written an answer to someone else who asked the same question,  we have been told to drink no more than 2 drinks a month.

    Personally,  I can't stand the smell of alcohol anymore and when I was offered a glass of wine, it tasted foul!  I have heard that a lot of people go off alcohol completely when on MTX.

  • matthew28646
    matthew28646 bob_2020

    Posted

    Hi bob733, The guidelines say that you can only drink 4 units of alcohola week on methotrexate but I dont drink on them at all. I would say to be on the safe side dont drink on them at all.
  • bob_2020
    bob_2020

    Posted

    thanks guys looks like as matthew says safer not to drink on MTX i know what i can be like  i take a couple and would want more i would never stick to what units your supposed to drink, i would make myself very unwell and thats one thing i dont want festive period or not aint worth it..thanks guys for your input 
    • matthew28646
      matthew28646 bob_2020

      Posted

      Very wise bob733 stay away from the booze, Booze is now your enemy lol. Do you take anything else apart from Methotrexate??
    • bob_2020
      bob_2020 matthew28646

      Posted

      aye a do matthew i take hydroxychloroquine 200mg mate take folic acid day after i take mtx away take mtx on a monday got put up to 20mg yesterday at hospital from 15mg
    • matthew28646
      matthew28646 bob_2020

      Posted

      Oh right I am still waiting to see if I can go on hydroxychloroquine, I'm on Methotrexate 25mg, it was up last Monday from 20mg but to be honest i'm still having problems. The first drug I started on when I was first diagnosed was Sulfasalazine 500mg but I had bad headaches and ringing in the ears with it so I stopped it. I also take my Methotrexate on a Monday like you.
    • bob_2020
      bob_2020 matthew28646

      Posted

      i had bad headaches taking hydroxychloquine when i first started them matthew i stopped them for a few days doctor phoned me sayin i should try and take them again witch i did and heaaches passed... and i have been ok from day 1 on mtx was a bit scared of starting them after hearing all the problems some people get i never get any sickness feelings i just started taking my drugs in september was diagnosed with RA in my hands and wrists so i take it we are both on this drug mtx for life matthew if it agrees with us witch mines is so far but ur right drink is my enemy now lol i used to like a fair booze up as well thats why i said 1 drink is no used to me  i have to go the full way lol but i wont now big changes mate only for the good have to think of ones self and i am
  • Light
    Light bob_2020

    Posted

    I don't want to encourage you to drink because, as Matthew says, one drink is hard to stick to if you're normally, pre MTX, a drinker.

    i'm not. So let that be clear, Ilve never been much of a drinker since I was a teenage.

    Having said that, I do like a glass of wine now and then or a dash of rum on my baba.

    I've been on MTX and prednisone for 8 years - both hard on the the old liver, but I have never felt ill effects from the occasional glass of wine.

    The good thing about the liver is, so I'm told,  that when you're taxing it too much, you usually feel it.

    Is this true?  I don't know... because mine has so far never been overtaxed.

    Keep in mind your bi-monthly blood tests monitor the liver regularly.

    If you have a strong liver and can stick to one glass on Christmas and one on New Year's, it shouldn't harm you.

    If you can't stick to one, I agree with the others, avoid it.

    • Light
      Light

      Posted

      PS: Happy Christmas!
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Light

      Posted

      Hello Light. Regarding your comment about being told you know if you are overtaxing your liver that is unfortunately not the case. Only a liver function test will tell you before it's too late. Some people say they get pain in that area but that's hardly likely. 
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop Jan999

      Posted

      And, in fact, they are now saying that signs that your liver is packing up don't always show in the blood tests and the only way to be certain of what is going on, is a liver scan.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 mrsmop

      Posted

      You're probably right mrsmop. It's often a silent killer. When I was training to be a nurse I knew another nurse who took an overdose of paracetamol. She lied about the number she took. Liver function tests showed no damage but 2 days later she died. It can be so quick. If a drug says no alcohol I stick to it as hard as it can be especially around Christmas.
    • Light
      Light Jan999

      Posted

      Ok guys, if that's the case, I'm off the booze. Not that I was ever on it, but those occasional tipples I will now avoid altogether.

      Thanks for the alarm call.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 Light

      Posted

      You're welcome Light. I've just seen so much in my 41 years. It's been a real eye opener.
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