Methotrexate and flu symptoms

Coombs

Hi, I have a question.

I have to take 20mg of methotrexate once a week now over the last few days I'm starting to have cold/flu symptoms and no it's not covid.

My question is can I take anything for cold/flu that wouldn't counter react taken methotrexate.

Many thanks

Colin

Rina

Hi @Coombs ,

Methotrexate can interact with several other drugs including NSAIDs ( which are sometimes contained in cold remedies) so it’s best if you speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking anything. Here’s some info on the Versus Arthritis website about methotrexate and if you scroll down to ‘Taking other medicines’ you’ll see that they suggest this too.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/methotrexate/

Rina

frogmorton

I find my chemist knows what i can and can't take @Coombs Colin because he has a list of my medications an dis much easier to speak to than my GP.

Best of luck sorry you feel rough ((()))

helpline_team

Hi @Coombs, 

Thank you for posting on the helpline forum. I’m sorry you are feeling unwell with cold / flu-like symptoms.

Rina and frogmorton have provided sound advice and I hope you have found the link Rina provided helpful. We would agree that you should seek advice from a healthcare professional about how best to treat your cold / flu-like symptoms when you're taking methotrexate.

You are very welcome to call us on our freephone helpline: 0800 5200 520 so you can talk things through with one of our helpline team. 

I hope this is helpful and that you feel better soon.

Best wishes

Mags

Coombs

@Rina @froggie thank you both very much for your advice

lmc

Should I take my methotrexate when I have flu symptoms. Sore throat, cough, painful joints and mild fever.

olivia_b

Hey @lmc,

Methotrexate can interact with several other drugs including NSAIDs ( which are sometimes contained in cold remedies) so it’s best if you speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking anything. Here’s some info on the Versus Arthritis website about methotrexate and if you scroll down to ‘Taking other medicines’ you’ll see that they suggest this too.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/methotrexate/

You should seek advice from a healthcare professional about how best to treat your cold / flu-like symptoms when you're taking methotrexate.

You are very welcome to call us on our freephone helpline: 0800 5200 520 so you can talk things through with one of our helpline team. 

I hope this is helpful and that you feel better soon.

helpline_team

Hi @lmc,

Thanks for posting in the Helpline Online Community and sorry to hear you're experiencing flu symptoms, sore throat, cough, painful joints and mild fever. You ask if you should take your Methotrexate when you have these symptoms.

Referring to the information about Methotrexate shared by @olivia_b and as suggested, you should contact your Rheumatology Team for further support. Prescribed medication should be taken as directed, and if a Methotrexate dose is to be delayed whist you recover from an infection, this decision should be on the advice and guidance from your Rheumatology Team.

The information about Methotrexate states that you should tell your doctor or nurse specialist straight away if you start to feel really unwell or if you experience a sore throat, raised temperature or fever, or cough (as well as some other symptoms listed). As you have described some of these symptoms, you should contact them straight away. Your Rheumatology nurse specialists are there to help support with these kinds of issues.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/who-will-treat-you/rheumatology-nurse-specialist/

I hope this helps and that you're feeling better soon.

Best wishes,
Helen, Helpline Advisor