Methotrexate and mouth ulcers

Ariana

Hi all, Does anyone else suffer with mouth ulcers after taking methotrexate? I have contacted my rheumatology nurse and she suggested I lower the dose of methotrexate from 8 tablets to 6 and increase my folic acid from 1 tablet once a week to 3 tablets but still those mouth ulcers keep coming.

If anyone has found anything that works to counteract mouth ulcers I would love to know. Thanks.

rebecca1001

I'v not long recently been diagnosed with RA and I will get a phone call tomorrow about starting methotrexate. I feel nervous about it as I don't know what there going to say. I have heard that people take folic acid with them. I said I would prefer taking tablets than injections.

stickywicket

@Ariana , it doesn't really matter what works for others as we're all different. You don't say how long you've been on the reduced dose of meth and increased dose of F.A. if it's been a week or two I'd personally get back to the rheumatology helpline to see what they suggest.

@rebecca1001 , try not to worry about starting on meth. It's been great for me for over 20 years. Good luck☺

Ariana

@stickywicket Thanks for the advice. I’ve been on the reduced dose for almost 4 weeks and into my second week I had an ulcer and since then more have appeared. Can I ask do you take your methotrexate in tablet form or do you inject? Thanks.

Ellen

@Ariana

I don't know whether this might help this article contains a question about mouth ulcers answered by a Dr:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

Best wishes

Ellen.

Ariana

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/710230#Comment_710230

Thank you Ellen. The article was helpful.😊

frogmorton

Some of us take folic acid every day except MTX day.

Don't know if that helps.

When my daughter had horrendous mouth ulcers on chemo they gave her a really comforting mouthwash/spray.

Might be worth asking the pharmacist about that?

Take care

Toni x

KitM808

I had them all the time from steroids..

Swishing with Mylanta helps heal them,coats them and helps with the pain. Folic Acid and complex B vitamins helped me prevent them

Anna

Sorry to interrupt your thread @Ariana, but I noticed this is your first post @KitM808 and just wanted to give you a quick welcome to the communìty. Thank you for sharing your experience- I’m sure you’ll fit in well with all our members who are friendly and just like you!

Do keep posting, it would be good to hear more about you.

Anna ( Moderator)

Ariana

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/710233#Comment_710233

Thank you @frogmorton that’s very helpful.😊

Ariana

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/710310#Comment_710310

Thank you @KitM808 I’ll give it a go. Thanks for the help.😊

choppers

When I first started methotrexate I was getting mouth ulcers.

I used to use chlorhexadine mouthwash (cordodyl) being the branded version and that helped.

I also started taking b vitamins and that I feel has helped.

As someone say's try asking a pharmacist or a rheumatologist.

Reading on here about methotrexate, people saying they have side effects, I take 8 tablets and have had no nausea, but sulfasalazne, very much so.

Loggiemod

I got mouth ulcers as a side effect from Naproxen and though I rarely take naproxen these days I am still left prone to mouth ulcers. I usually have one or two but no longer notice them, though I have the same convesation with my dentist every check-up. I got prescribed a mouthwash to use if they get bad - Benzydamine

Emmasknackeredjoints

I had a mouth full of ulcers for the first few weeks of mtx. I used antibacterial wash every day and bongella and throat sweets.

After about 5 weeks it stopped.

That drug was horrible 5 months of nausea and vomiting. I was so depressed with no life.

Came.off few months ago and my pain came back in bucket loads so on biologics

Good luck.

Atrainor83

Sorry to jump in but I am starting mxt on 22nd Nov and going to ask for the injections straight away rather than the tabs.

Has anyone else still gotten really sick taking the injections over the tabs?

Thank you

A

Chris1310

Hi

I’ve had terrible mouth ulcers but have found out it’s a certain brand of methotrexate causing them. My chemist is now aware and makes sure I don’t have that make. I haven’t had any since. Maybe worth a try

chris

Anna

Hi @Chris1310, welcome to the online community and thanks for sharing your experience of methotrexate and mouth ulcers.

Recent research has shown that mouth ulcers can be a side effect of some forms of methotrexate as you have experienced.Here’s the research study:

https://versusarthritis.org/news/2022/january/new-research-profiles-side-effects-linked-to-methotrexate/

Best wishes,

Anna ( Moderator)

Anna

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/714667#Comment_714667

Hi @Atrainor83, Some studies have found that injections have fewer adverse gastrointestinal effects for some people.

Either way, you are advised to contact your GP or rheumatologist if you are concerned by any side effects you may be experiencing.

This article contains a question about how to deal with nausea and it also mentions that some people feel less sick with injections I hope it’s helpful:

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

Best wishes,

Anna ( Moderator)

Woofy

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/710208#Comment_710208

Hi. Don’t be scared. I was you back in May. I take my methotrexate on a Thursday after my evening meal, and folic acid on all the other days except Thursdays. I was anxious, but I’ve been fine. Just let your RA nurse know how you are feeling, and I am sure she will put your mind at rest. Good luck.

bazzad

@Ariana

Ive been getting ulcers for quite a while being on the methotrexate, after discussions with my nurse and the doctor they prescribed a antiseptic mouth wash and that did the trick. Hope you get it sorted

JSM

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/714667#Comment_714667

No I haven't had that problem,but, sometimes I feel queasy , however,I think that is my state of mind sometimes,but,I have never been sick .You will

JSM

Hi folks,I first had methotrexate in tablet form,but went on the injection which I have had no problem with,and,I take folic acid every day except on injection day.I hope this helps.I also make colcalciferol,statins, and thyroxine and amytriptaline. x

JSM

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/60588/methotrexate-and-mouth-ulcers

Welsh1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/714704#Comment_714704

What brand?

Simon1981

Try a magnesium supplement. I started getting regular mouth ulcers in my earlier stages of RA when I was on etodolac. I also took lansoprazole alongside this as a stomach protector and I think this may have been the issue but I read I may have a magnesium deficiency and started taking a daily magnesium tablet and have had no problems since.

Owen36

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/60588/methotrexate-and-mouth-ulcers

Have you tried the injection form of Methotrexate I've been on it for two years and only have to inject it once aweek.

I am on 20mg of it and I've never had one mouth ulcer.