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Methotrexate (Methotrexate) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Methotrexate reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 18 ratings/reviews, Methotrexate has an overall score of 7.22. The effectiveness score is 8.56 and the side effect score is 6.78. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Methotrexate review by 64 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   20 mg. taken 1 x week for the period of 2 years to present
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   Remicade
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The combination of weekly 20mg. Methotrexate with an infusion (at the doctor's office) of Remicade has almost completely controlled my rheumatoid arthritis. I have had no further joint damage, and the initial symptoms of extreme fatigue and pain in the small joints of my hands, wrists, feet and ankles has abated.
Side effects:   None that I am aware of
Comments:   I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about two years ago and began treatment with a combination of Remicade (infused once every eight weeks over a period of about 2 hours in my doctor's office) and Methotrexate 20 mg. once a week. I take 8 tablets every Friday, 2.r mg. each. I have had no negative side effects from either medication.

 

Methotrexate review by 58 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   psoraitic arthritis
Dosage & duration:   6 tabs taken daily for the period of 4 years
Other conditions:   psoriasis
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   the treatment masked the psoriasis and what was considered arthritis
Side effects:   increasing all over body pain
Comments:   I started with 4 tabs and increased to 6 as the all over body pain increased and then they were going to put me on prednisone. I opted to turn to homeopathic treatment and weaned off the methotrexate. The all over body pain went completely away but the psoriasis was exacerbated. I'd rather have that than not be able to walk or move.

 

Methotrexate review by care giver of 12 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Dosage & duration:   15 mg taken once a week for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   prednisone, naprosyn
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Methotrexate significantly reduced my daughter's arthritis symptoms, allowing her to resume a normal, active life without joint pain. After being treated with this drug, she has remained symptom free for several years now. She did not have to progress to more expensive arthritis drugs since she responded well to methotrexate.
Side effects:   Thinning hair, weight gain. We don't know if these were due to the methotrexate or other drugs she was on.
Comments:   She took the dosage once a week for about a year, and eventually was weaned off of all her arthritis related drugs.

 

Methotrexate review by 54 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   25mg taken weekly for the period of Ongoing
Other conditions:   Hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia
Other drugs taken:   Synthroid, Ezetrol, Folic Acid
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Control of joint inflammation
Side effects:   None.
Comments:   The methotrexate is administered by subcutaneous injection (self-administered) 25mgs once per week. I have been taking methotexate for approximately 5 years. Foe the first 4 years I took the same dose orally, but it eventually beacme less effective so I switched to subcutaneous injection. It has been extremely effective at controlling the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and I feel 95% normal.

 

Methotrexate review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   psoriasis
Dosage & duration:   30 mg taken 1xweel for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   95% cleared chronic severe psoriasis from scalp to feet. Extremely easy to administer.
Side effects:   nausea, fatigue, elevated white blood cells, low side of normal liver lab results.
Comments:   took 10 mg every 3 hours for a total dose of 30 mg/wk. Initially started with 15 mg/wk but became tolerant and had to move up to 30 mg/wk

 

Methotrexate review by 29 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   0.6 mL (dosage frequency: once weekly) for the period of ongoing
Other conditions:   type I diabetes, hypothyroidism, lack of intrinsic factor
Other drugs taken:   novolog insulin, lexapro, mircette, levothyroxin, folic acid, lisinopril
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Treatment benefits from taking methotrexate included significantly reduced inflammation in the joints which led to reduced pain. Overall fatigue was also minimized.
Side effects:   The day after the injection I was extremely worn out. Almost like having the flu. I took the shot on Friday nights, went to bed around 11pm, and then wasn't able to get up before noon the next day, simply due to severe fatigue. After Saturday, I typically felt pretty good, though.
Comments:   Once weekly injections with methotrexate. Also took prescription-strength folic acid to minimize any side effects.

 

Methotrexate review by care giver of 17 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   psoriasis
Dosage & duration:   15mg per week taken 1 x per week for the period of continuing for past 22 mos.
Other conditions:   Down syndrome, hypothyroidism
Other drugs taken:   tegratol, synthroid, topical steroid
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Relieved the plaque psoriasis which was over 90% of skin and extremely uncomfortable.
Side effects:   Vomiting and nausea on days the drug was ingested, rebound effect(return of plaque) when attempting to decrease the medication; liver blood levels need monitoring while on the drug.
Comments:   Patient had onset of psoriasis and was treated with topical steroids. Psoriasis quickly spread over entire body and methotrexate was recommended. It worked quickly to eliminate the plaque on the trunk of body, but patient has been unable to wean from the drug because psoriasis has never completely gon away on arms and legs. We are now looking at Enbrol.

 

Methotrexate review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   rhumitoid arthritis
Dosage & duration:   12 pills per dose (not sure of dosage) taken once a week for the period of still taking, now about 7 years
Other conditions:   minor sores like blemishes, heal more slowly, feel tired after taking
Other drugs taken:   meloxicam
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Less pain, less inflamation, slows down degeneration of disease. can function normally where before had severe pain in joints, especially in feet, knees, and made it extremely hard to walk, wear shoes, bend at knees.
Side effects:   minor sores like blemishes heal more slowly. After taking, i'm tired in the morning
Comments:   originally 10 now 12 pills once a week

 

Methotrexate review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   crohns
Dosage & duration:   1 mg weekly taken weekly for the period of 2 yrs
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   it subsided inflammation in the intestines. therefore resulting in less pain and discomfort. hopefully less diarrhea.
Side effects:   liver damage. everyone I spoke to said this is a very dirty drug. this is a cancer type of treatment, (chemo) it is old and very hard on the liver. can result in very serious liver damage very quickly.
Comments:   weekly 1 mg needle

 

Methotrexate review by 44 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   15 mg taken once per week for the period of three years (continuing)
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   folic acid and a calcium/vitamin D supplement
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My severe pain and joint swelling diminished soon, and I have had few painful moments (and nothing like the pain I had before my diagnosis).
Side effects:   mild hair loss
Comments:   After starting RA treatment with plaquenil and feeling few changes, my doctor encouraged me to try methotrexate. My severe pain and joint swelling diminished soon, and I have had few painful moments (and nothing like the pain I had before my diagnosis). I have stopped taking plaquenil. The only side effect I have noticed is thinning hair. I miss having a glass of wine once in a while, but the lack of pain makes that sacrifice worthwhile. I take folic acid each day.

 

Methotrexate review by 47 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   4 ml (dosage frequency: once per week) for the period of one year
Other conditions:   Baker's Cyst on the Left Knee
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   A reduction of inflamation in the joints on the hands, feet and elbow. The nature of taking one does per week was also very beneficial did not have to remember to take daily.
Side effects:   I had no side effects from taking the medication. I did have regular blood work up to determine liver damage.
Comments:   I took 4 tables once per week and daily doses of folic acid.

 

Methotrexate review by 47 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   rheumatoid arthritis
Dosage & duration:   15mg taken once a week for the period of 6years
Other conditions:   High blood pressure
Other drugs taken:   bendroflumetazide
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   To reduce high blood pressure. To reduce pain and inflammation of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Side effects:   Feeling Tired, lethargic. Dry skin , dry mouth, dry eyss. Nausea. When I actually take the methotrxate I feel as if I have a temperature and cannot do much for the first day. 48 hours hours after taking methotrexate I take a 5mg dose of Folic acid to reduce the most harmful side effects of taking methotrexate.
Comments:   I take one 15mg dose of methotrexate once a week along with sulphasalazine and naproxen to reduce activity of my very active rheumatoid arthritis. The pain and inflammation is still there but has reduced slightly. I also take Bendroflumethazide to reduce high blood pressure taken on a daily basis. I have researched on the internet and found I need to increase my daily intake of water/fluids. This has never been mentioned in the contraindications or by my GP. I understand the reason for increasing fluid intake is because the medication I take is cytoxic and I need to keep my kidneys and liver flushed as much as possible, which is why patients who take methotrexate and sulphasalazine have monthly blood tests.

 

Methotrexate review by 53 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   psoriatic arthritis
Dosage & duration:   7 cc (dosage frequency: once a week) for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   fibromyalgia
Other drugs taken:   flexaril, ultracet
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   easing of arthritis symptoms, helped alleviate "flu-like feeling".
Side effects:   SEVERE mouth ulcers all over the inside of my mouth and down my throat. Unable to eat or even drink for about one month. Became extremely dehydrated and went into acute renal failure.
Comments:   Gave myself a shot once a week. I think they quit making the injectible Methotrexate, which is a shame. It works SO MUCH BETTER than the pills.

 

Methotrexate review by 61 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   RA
Dosage & duration:   7 tablets per week (17.5 mg per wk) taken once a week for the period of 15 months
Other conditions:   hypertension
Other drugs taken:   Altace, Plaquenil, sulfasalazine
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Less pain in joints, better mobility. Better able to perform tasks of daily living. Less stiffness.
Side effects:   Weight gain Tired on the day I took methotrexate Some nausea
Comments:   I am not especially pleased with the weight gain but I have to take something to control the RA. I guess methotrexate works fairly well.

 

Methotrexate review by 41 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   10cc (dosage frequency: once a week) for the period of 5 years
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   Folic acid in high doses for methotrexate counter effect
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Methotrexate kept the RA from progressing rapidly. Pain, swelling and stiffness were noticeably less when taking medication. It did not stop RA progress completely. In addition, arthritis nodules did develop.
Side effects:   Had to get monthly blood tests to check liver and kidney function. Once, after about 3-4 years of usage I had an abnormal blood test and was told to stop taking methotrexate for a month, then re-take blood test. Upon normal test, went back to taking methotrexate as usual. Did not notice any effects during time of abnormal blood test.
Comments:   Injected myself in the thigh once a week.

 

Methotrexate review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Rhematory Arthritis
Dosage & duration:   1 cc (dosage frequency: weekly injection) for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   Uticaria
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   This drug definitely helped control flares and joint stiffness. It also helped defeat the incredible amount of hives. Hives were completely controlled.
Side effects:   Unfortunately, there were many side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, occasional vomiting, extreme fatigue, foggy mind. Bruising at the injection site was also very common.
Comments:   One injection every week.

 

Methotrexate review by 50 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   RA
Dosage & duration:   7. 5 mg taken weekly for the period of 17 years
Other conditions:   sever swelling on knee joints next day of taking Methotrexate
Other drugs taken:   ENBREL and Hydroxycloroqueen
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The medicine MTX was effective for fifteen years. Weekly dose of Enbrel is quiet effective. AS sson as I tke MTX 2 days after the Enbrel injection I am having severe swelling on my knee joints. Others onts remains normal.
Side effects:   The medicine MTX was effective for fifteen years. Weekly dose of Enbrel is quiet effective. AS sson as I tke MTX 2 days after the Enbrel injection I am having severe swelling on my knee joints. Others onts remains normal. May be cronic kidney failure
Comments:   I Got synovectomy done of my left knee joint plannig for right knee jointalso

 

Methotrexate review by 64 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Uveitis, Inflmmatory arhtiritis in hands
Dosage & duration:   began w/ 7.5mg and titrated up taken 1 x weekly for the period of 6months
Other conditions:   n/a
Other drugs taken:   Folic Acid, Zofran
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Reduction of oral prednisone and prednisone eyedrops w/ eventual stoppage. Uveitis cleared. Inflammatory arthritis is ongoing. I am undergoing new treatment with MTX currently.
Side effects:   Oral: nausea, felt absolutely yucky for 48 hours post dose. Went sub-q and felt much better.
Comments:   Prepped with Zofran and followed with daily Folic Acid and regular blood tests. Same protocol this time. Using sub-q,not willing to try oral again.
 


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