Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone. I'm changing onto Rituximab after failing with Adalimumab. I'm told it MUST be taken with methotrexate. I asked if this is because it helps it work better. No, they said, it's merely to do with the funding. Has anyone else heard this?
0 likes, 7 replies
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mrsmop John9539
Posted
How bizarre. What area do you live in? Presumably if you get the funding for both, your Consultants won't give you both drugs, how does it work?
John9539 mrsmop
Posted
I live in North West UK. I don't think funding is required for MTX. It's much cheaper than biologics.
treezsh John9539
Posted
That sounds like rubbish to me... funding??? a lot of the biological drugs are meant to be used with methotrexate and as far as I understand it helps in mopping up the inflammatory process. Some are intended to be taken on their own. I couldnt take MTX and therefore tried several without it. I think I may ask for further clarification from a pharmaceutical point of view, or ask your pharmacist
John9539 treezsh
Posted
It was the rheumatology pharmacist that I was talking to! She also said Rituximab is 'licenced' for use with MTX. I'm only concerned as I had severe stomach problems when I was taking MTX a few years ago. These were tablets whilst the new prescription is a low dose via self-injection. I'm also not keen on the reported side effects of MTX.
Gloria814 John9539
Posted
I have read that the studies show it is more effective when the 2 are used in combination. But when I did another search on the internet a couple people reported taking the drug without using Methotrexate b/c they were unable to tolerate MTX . My doc has told me biologics are generally more effective when taken together with MTX but I have taken Humira and Cimzia both biologics without MTX.I live in US
I hope the new drug works for you
John9539 Gloria814
Posted
I've found one study that showed no marked difference in results between those using both, or rituximab on its own. I guess if we searched long enough we could find studies to justify everything. I'm moving from Humira (without MTX), which worked well for my RA, as it was blamed as the cause of my pachymeningitis. Not a nice side effect but apparently extremely rare.
Gloria814 John9539
Posted
Sorry to hear John that you had such a rare and scary side effect. I told my rheum. I didn't want to take both humira and MTX together and he was Ok with that. I didn't tolerate it though. . Hope you find another drug that works for RA