Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Taking Methotrexate For Arthritis? Doctors Explain The Risks Behind The Latest Warning

Methotrexate For Arthritis

People who take <span>methotrexate</span> for different health conditions have been cautioned by the NHS that certain symptoms and side effects should not be ignored and may require urgent medical help, including a visit to A&amp;E or calling 999. Methotrexate works as an immunosuppressant, meaning it dampens the immune system to help control inflammation in the body.

Methotrexate belongs to a group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It helps manage rheumatoid arthritis by dampening the body’s immune response, controls psoriasis by slowing the rapid buildup of skin cells, and is used in cancer treatment to limit the growth and spread of cancer cells, as per Mayo Clinic.

Doctors commonly prescribe it for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. In some situations, it is also used as part of cancer treatment. Methotrexate is usually taken as a tablet, a liquid medicine that is swallowed, or as a pre-filled pen or syringe that is injected under the skin. While many people benefit from the drug, it can also cause serious side effects that may be worrying for some patients.

<h2>Side Effects Of Methotrexate And When To Call For Emergency?</h2>

Certain severe side effects linked to methotrexate are rare and affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. Even so, the NHS advises contacting your doctor or calling 111 if you notice any of the following symptoms:

<ul><li>Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles along with shortness of breath, which may point to a kidney issue</li><li>A long-lasting cough, chest discomfort, or trouble breathing, which could suggest lung inflammation</li><li>Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, which can indicate liver damage</li><li>Bleeding gums, vomiting blood, unexplained bruises, or blood in the urine, which may signal a blood disorder</li><li>A high temperature, sore throat, or body aches, which could be signs of an infection</li></ul>In some instances, methotrexate can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In such situations, the NHS stresses that people should call 999 immediately.

<strong>Symptoms of this can include:</strong>

<ul><li>Swelling of the lips, throat, or tongue</li><li>A tight sensation in the throat or difficulty swallowing</li><li>Confusion</li><li>Collapsing or fainting and being hard to wake</li><li>Skin, lips, or tongue turning blue, pale, or grey</li><li>Very rapid breathing or severe difficulty breathing</li></ul>

<h2>Methotrexate: What Should You Watch Out For While Taking This Medication?</h2>

See your care team regularly so they can monitor how the treatment is working. It may take a while before you notice any improvement. You may be asked to get routine blood tests during the course of treatment.

If your care team has prescribed folic acid along with methotrexate, they may advise you not to take folic acid on the same day as your methotrexate dose.

This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of direct sun exposure. If that is not possible, wear covered clothing and apply sunscreen. Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.

Contact your care team if you have severe diarrhea, ongoing nausea or vomiting, or heavy sweating. Losing too much fluid from your body can make this medicine unsafe. This drug can raise your chances of developing an infection. Call your care team if you develop a fever, chills, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms. Do not self-medicate. As far as possible, stay away from people who are unwell.

Discuss your cancer risk with your care team. Long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of certain cancers.

Speak to your care team if you or your partner could become pregnant. Methotrexate can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or within six months after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting treatment. Reliable contraception should be used while on this medication and for six months after stopping it. Your care team can guide you on suitable options.

If your partner can become pregnant, use condoms during sexual activity while taking this medication and for three months after the final dose. Do not breastfeed while using this medication and for at least one week after the last dose.

This medication may affect fertility. If this is a concern, discuss it with your care team.

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People who take methotrexate for different health conditions have been cautioned by the NHS that certain symptoms and side effects should not be ignored and may require urgent medical help, including a visit to A&E or calling 999. Methotrexate works as an immunosuppressant, meaning it dampens the immune system to help control inflammation in the body.What Is Methotrexate?Methotrexate belongs to a group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It helps manage rheumatoid arthritis by dampening the body’s immune response, controls psoriasis by slowing the rapid buildup of skin cells, and is used in cancer treatment to limit the growth and spread of cancer cells, as per Mayo Clinic.Doctors commonly prescribe it for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. In some situations, it is also used as part of cancer treatment. Methotrexate is usually taken as a tablet, a liquid medicine that is swallowed, or as a pre-filled pen or syringe that is injected under the skin. While many people benefit from the drug, it can also cause serious side effects that may be worrying for some patients.Side Effects Of Methotrexate And When To Call For Emergency?Certain severe side effects linked to methotrexate are rare and affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people. Even so, the NHS advises contacting your doctor or calling 111 if you notice any of the following symptoms:Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles along with shortness of breath, which may point to a kidney issueA long-lasting cough, chest discomfort, or trouble breathing, which could suggest lung inflammationYellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, which can indicate liver damageBleeding gums, vomiting blood, unexplained bruises, or blood in the urine, which may signal a blood disorderA high temperature, sore throat, or body aches, which could be signs of an infectionIn some instances, methotrexate can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. In such situations, the NHS stresses that people should call 999 immediately.Symptoms of this can include:Swelling of the lips, throat, or tongueA tight sensation in the throat or difficulty swallowingConfusionCollapsing or fainting and being hard to wakeSkin, lips, or tongue turning blue, pale, or greyVery rapid breathing or severe difficulty breathingMethotrexate: What Should You Watch Out For While Taking This Medication?See your care team regularly so they can monitor how the treatment is working. It may take a while before you notice any improvement. You may be asked to get routine blood tests during the course of treatment.If your care team has prescribed folic acid along with methotrexate, they may advise you not to take folic acid on the same day as your methotrexate dose.This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of direct sun exposure. If that is not possible, wear covered clothing and apply sunscreen. Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.Contact your care team if you have severe diarrhea, ongoing nausea or vomiting, or heavy sweating. Losing too much fluid from your body can make this medicine unsafe. This drug can raise your chances of developing an infection. Call your care team if you develop a fever, chills, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms. Do not self-medicate. As far as possible, stay away from people who are unwell.Discuss your cancer risk with your care team. Long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of certain cancers.Speak to your care team if you or your partner could become pregnant. Methotrexate can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy or within six months after the last dose. A negative pregnancy test is required before starting treatment. Reliable contraception should be used while on this medication and for six months after stopping it. Your care team can guide you on suitable options.If your partner can become pregnant, use condoms during sexual activity while taking this medication and for three months after the final dose. Do not breastfeed while using this medication and for at least one week after the last dose.This medication may affect fertility. If this is a concern, discuss it with your care team.