MTX and alcohol

[Donnak06]

They have said I only need to have 3 CTX ivs then I am moving onto MTX.

I've heard that if you split the dose this can minimise side effects. Whats the best time of day to time it? Also I believe you need to take folic acid as well.

I have also read very differing views on MTX and alcohol some say none at all the UK state that you can have 2-3 drinks per day but not on the day you take it or the day after and no more than 14 in a weeK. As anyone had a drink whilst taking this, I do like a few glasses of wine on a weekend so I'm planning to take the MTX on a Tuesday and have a few glasses of wine on the Saturday and Sunday.

[Pete]

Hello Donna,

It's true that alcohol and mtx don't mix well. The combination - especially excessive (a term that has different definitions) alcohol - can mess up the liver. I'm more of a beer drinker, so I've been able to accommodate with non-alcoholic beers. My favorites are Clausthaler and Kaliber. Unfortunately, non-alcoholic wine is just grape juice. I drink one or two glasses of wine with dinner perhaps once a month or so with no ill effects. The UK mtx protocol is more liberal with alcohol than the US protocol.

I take my mtx on Wednesday (3 pills in am and 4 in pm). I am a little tired on Wednesday and Thursday, but it doesn't interfere with my normal activities. That's the only side effect I've experienced.

I take 1 mg of folic acid daily to prevent hair loss. Seems to be working, although my hair is a little coarser now.

[annekat]

2-3 drinks per day sounds like too much on MTX. There've been times I've had one small drink per day for periods of time. That is probably too much, as well, and I'm currently not drinking any because I don't feel like it. Most on here who take MTX seem to adhere to either "not at all", or "occasionally", as in once or twice a month, or maybe even once a week. Each person decides for themselves. My doc never even mentioned it to me, which doesn't mean he shouldn't have. It says to "avoid" it on the pill bottle and info sheet. Alcohol and MTX are both hard on the liver, which I think is the main reasoning behind it, not to compound the problem. Eventually, liver problems would show up in your bloodwork, but that might be too late to have avoided liver damage.... I don't know. If you just have a couple glasses of wine on the weekend, I wouldn't think of it as a big deal, personally, but others may disagree. We may vary on how easily our livers can be affected.

[Michael Bell]

I enjoy a small single malt whiskey once or twice a week. And I mean enjoy!
Mike

[Jaypfei]

I would think the no alcohol would have to do with the fact that mthx is processed through the liver. I Did NOT drink and tween the mthx and Imuran had liver distress. So if a prescription says not to consume alcohol, I don't.

[mishb]

I would think the no alcohol would have to do with the fact that mthx is processed through the liver. I Did NOT drink and tween the mthx and Imuran had liver distress. So if a prescription says not to consume alcohol, I don't.

I agree - my Rheumy actually told me not to drink alcohol and then the pharmacist also said it and put a little sticker on the bottle.

I also had liver distress and I haven't had any alcohol for about 10 years or more and before then was one glass on Xmas day - yep that's me, the big drinker :razz:

I don't know, I would think that your health and your liver were more important than having to have something alcoholic.

[Alysia]

I would think that your health and your liver were more important than having to have something alcoholic.
agree. I don't even like alcohol.... aweful taste.... :w00t:

[carriej22]

When I was on MTX I was getting married and they told me I could have one ounce of wine at my wedding and that's it, and only because it was a special occasion... I was 22 at the time, and they were very adamant (since I think they thought I was young and wild) to stay away from alcohol.

[pberggren1]

But you are young and wild.

[carriej22]

LOL I wish! Young, maybe. Wild? In my dreams maybe haha!

[pberggren1]

How much do you drink?

[Donnak06]

Not loads but we usually share a bottle of wine on a Fri, Sat and Sun. If I was going to be on the MTX for a few months then giving up no prob but the Dr is talking about being on it for a couple of years. I would prefer to go on Imuran which I took before for a couple of years with no problem but for some reason he is insistent on MTX.

Also I have been taking 60mg of steriods for 6 weeks and he has told me to decrease by 10mg a week does this seem rather fast, other people I notice seem to decrease quite slowly or is this because I have only been on them 6 weeks. I should off steriods in another couple of months which is good.

[Dirty Don]

I wouldn't count on being off pred too soon...altho some have done it. If this is a 'knockdown' dose, then docs do prescribe a heavy hit and a fast taper. But, if pred has become a mainstay to keep inflammation at bay, then the drops you have now are way too fast. Some get headaches, some get sore, some have symptoms recur whilst in reduction. Best to you.

[annekat]

Our friend Sangye always said, I think, that if one has been on 20mg. or more of pred for 2 months or more, then the adrenals will have shut down and you must be extra careful about tapering. You have been on 60mg for 6 weeks, which seems to be cutting it pretty close. If you had only been on that much for 2 or 3 weeks, I'd feel a little better about a 10mg. per week taper, but even then, it would seem a little fast. Maybe you could do 5 mg. a week? I'd prefer 5mg. every two weeks. Some docs are flexible enough to work with people on these tapers, depending on how the patient is feeling. Ultimately it is up to you.... if tapering 10mg. a week makes you feel awful, I'd just slow it down on your own and touch base with the doc about it. I do understand wanting to get off it, but one can't assume in advance that a given taper schedule is going to work and not cause problems.

[RonB]

I cut out alcohol totally for 4 months, I was also going through kidney failure.

I am improving well now, it was a small price to pay, so why risk it

[Alysia]

I cut out alcohol totally for 4 months, I was also going through kidney failure.

I am improving well now, it was a small price to pay, so why risk it
welcome to the forum, Ron. if and when you will feel like, you are invited to tell more about you. (in "new members introduction").

[Dirty Don]

I cut out alcohol...period. Didn't matter one way or another...

[LisaT]

I am not on methotrexate (it made me too nauseous to function and I still feel sick when I see a needle or think about it, ugh.... :bored: But some of my other meds have an alcohol warning. I used to really look forward to a drink with dinner or while preparing dinner. Lately I've noticed that although I think I want the drink, I'm not actually enjoying it and it could be making me feel worse (other than a delicious grapefruit basil martini I had at dinner the other night... That one was worth it!), so I've just decided to stop, other than the odd occasion when I see something so intriguing as a grapefruit basil martini. I think what I was looking forward to was allowing myself a 'treat' at the end of the day. I can do that with a lemon ice water or freshly-made juice, which are both way healthier for me. I'm not suggesting this is the way to go for others, just what I think will work better for me. It will be interesting to see whether and how this affects my so-called social life.

[Dirty Don]

The end of each day IS a treat...for me.