MTX and Hydrochloroquine together......why?

Ria
Ria Member Posts: 28
edited 20. Jun 2011, 08:35 in Living with Arthritis archive
Afternoon All,

Can anyone tell me why Rheumy's oftern prescribe MTX along with Hydro? Do they not work alone or are they better in a combination?

Ria
Ria x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    They do different jobs. The meth is supposed to reduce the rate of joint damamge by supressing the immune system and thus stop it firing up and attacking your joints, the hydroxy is an anti-inflammatory. I think I have that right. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • scattered
    scattered Member Posts: 326
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Technically they are both classed at DMARDs. They both dampen down the immune system to try and knock the disease into submission.

    They are often prescribed together if the rheumatologist feels one may not be enough to gain control of the disease on it's own. I'm on 2 DMARDs, an Anti-TNF and steroids to try and keep my disease activity low.

    If you're worried about it, ask your rheumatologist or the nurse next time you see them
  • madwestie
    madwestie Member Posts: 383
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ria,
    The rheumy nurse described it to me as the work in layers one layer on top of the other like a layer of mesh if you put one layer on top of the other at a slight angle it closes up the holes for the disease to get through.
    Hope this helps I am on both Hydroxy and MTX and have been for a number of years now

    Tracey
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ria,

    My Rheumy wants me to start this combo after I've had my forthcoming op. At the moment I'm just on 10mg Mtx tablets.

    Maybe we can compare notes :wink:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was prescribed both as they compliment each other and work together and are referred to as combination therapy. I have stopped Hydroxy now as I didn't think it did anything for me but I have been worse lately. I might ask about whether to go back on at next appointment in July.

    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    A good few years ago now
    I had the triple therapy treatment

    HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, LEFLUNOMIDE AND MTX

    all of them are Disease Modifying drugs, hoping to dampen
    down the disease.

    Hope it works well for you

    Kath
  • liesa
    liesa Member Posts: 821
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i was also on these two drugs but they did nothing for me, i came off (drs orders) after 12 months on methotrexate and stopped placquenil after 18 months also Drs orders,
    didnt work :(
    love and hugs
    8997C823B17A6252CBCA252F4BF2932D.png
  • Ria
    Ria Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ahhhhh now it all seems a lot clearer.....thank you all!!
    I've only seen the Consultant and waiting to see Rheumy Nurse where I will ask more questions, but you've all enlightened me.

    Lindalegs - yes we can compare and see who's doing best lol!!!
    Ria x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    They do different jobs. The meth is supposed to reduce the rate of joint damamge by supressing the immune system and thus stop it firing up and attacking your joints, the hydroxy is an anti-inflammatory. I think I have that right. DD


    Hydroxy is a DMARD too DD

    I think sometime the power of two drugs together is greater than each alone....like paracetamol and codeine maybe?

    Love

    Toni xx
  • cthornley
    cthornley Member Posts: 627
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes as others have said they are both DMARDS but they are often prescribed as dual therapy as its hyrochloroquine is more effective in combination than on its own (Rheumy called it a 'mild' DMARD, which has less

    I was on this combination for a bit but I didn't get on with the Hydrochloroquine (which is apparently rare) still on the MTX tho and after trying & failing with a few other combinations I'm now waiting to try Anti -TNF with MTX

    Hope you get on with it and it gives you the right result without too many nasty side effects
    Good luck
    Chrissie

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