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Methotrexate side effects
- Thread starter greengirl
- Start date
You may not be imagining it. There is a thing called methotrexate pneumonitis - inflammation of the lungs:
* Methotrexate pneumonitis is an unpredictable and life-threatening side effect of methotrexate therapy.
* Presentation is often subacute with symptoms often present for several weeks or months before diagnosis.
* Presents most often with cough, dyspnoea and fever. May progress rapidly to respiratory failure.
* Early diagnosis, cessation of methotrexate, and treatment with corticosteroids and/or cyclophosphamide are important in management.
* There is a high rate of recurrence of lung injury after re-challenge with methotrexate.
I stopped it because of giving me serious lung/chest pain, and completely wiping me out for two days following the dose.
If in doubt got to your doc.
Beth
* Methotrexate pneumonitis is an unpredictable and life-threatening side effect of methotrexate therapy.
* Presentation is often subacute with symptoms often present for several weeks or months before diagnosis.
* Presents most often with cough, dyspnoea and fever. May progress rapidly to respiratory failure.
* Early diagnosis, cessation of methotrexate, and treatment with corticosteroids and/or cyclophosphamide are important in management.
* There is a high rate of recurrence of lung injury after re-challenge with methotrexate.
I stopped it because of giving me serious lung/chest pain, and completely wiping me out for two days following the dose.
If in doubt got to your doc.
Beth
Oh my... I can totally relate to shortness of breath. I am currently on MTX. Looks like its off to the doc's with me! Thanks for posting that.
Quick question, MTX has been working well for me but if I have to stop it what would be a good substitute for it? I am also on Humira.