What are the most common side effects of methotrexate?

What are the most common side effects of methotrexate?

Methotrexate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness.
• drowsiness.
• headache.
• swollen, tender gums.
• decreased appetite.
• reddened eyes.
• hair loss.

What is methotrexate 2.5 mg tablet used for?

Methotrexate 2.5 mg Tablets are one of a group of medicines called antimetabolites which affect cell growth, including the growth of cancer cells. Methotrexate can be used to treat severe cases of psoriasis (a skin disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (a disease of the joints).

What are the side effects of methotrexate 2.5 mg?

Methotrexate can sometimes cause side effects, which may include:

• feeling sick.
• headaches.
• vomiting.
• diarrhoea.
• shortness of breath.
• mouth ulcers.
• minor hair loss and hair thinning.
• rashes.

What are the long term side effects of methotrexate?

If you are using methotrexate long term, a liver biopsy is usually recommended. Methotrexate use has rarely caused serious (sometimes fatal) side effects, such as lung problems, lung infections (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia), skin reactions, diarrhea, and mouth sores (ulcerative stomatitis).

What foods should I avoid while taking methotrexate?

There are no specific foods that you need to avoid while taking methotrexate. However, methotrexate may reduce your ability to fight infection. Therefore, it’s best to avoid unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses.

What happens if you don’t take folic acid with methotrexate?

You should take folic acid with methotrexate to help prevent a folate deficiency. Taking methotrexate can lower levels of folate in your body. A folate deficiency can lead to symptoms like upset stomach, low blood cell counts, tiredness, muscle weakness, mouth sores, liver toxicity and nervous system symptoms.

Is methotrexate a chemotherapy?

Methotrexate is one of a group of chemotherapy drugs called anti metabolites. These stop cells making and repairing DNA. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA so that they can grow and multiply. Methotrexate stops the cells working properly.

Does methotrexate cause leukemia?

The association between methotrexate therapy and the development of lymphoma and pseudolymphoma is well established. In patients treated with methotrexate, the development of leukemia has been attributed to either the primary disorder e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or to other drugs used concomitantly e.g. cyclophosphamide.

Does methotrexate affect sleep?

Another study, published in August 2017 in the journal NeuroImmunoModulation, concluded that inflammation influences sleep. Researchers revealed that treatment with methotrexate or Enbrel (etanercept) improved sleep quality.

Can methotrexate shorten your life?

Methotrexate (MTX) can reduce disease activity and radiologic progression, but little is known about its effect on mortality.

Can you drink milk when taking methotrexate?

Avoid taking methotrexate tablets with milk products, since the drug may not work as well. It is important to keep well hydrated to prevent kidney problems; drink plenty of fluids (6-8 glasses per day) and void (urinate) frequently.