Methotrexate and alcohol

[LondonKate]

Advice from consultants on alcohol varies from a complete ban to modest consumption.

Here's some information, please add any sources, which add to the general knowledge fund

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[beat-the-p]

Interesting that we as psoriatics are only aload 6 units per week - so there is a definate scientific & NHS reccognised assosiation with the condision & the liver then? I thought that the liver not functioning properly was just a theory in p/psa not a fact?

[ruthiebabie]

I've been told to steer clear of alcohol on the day of my metho injection and the day after that.  But apart from that they said it was fine. I'm assuming that they meant in moderate amounts and for me not to cane it  !!

[hank]

Uhm, The same seems to apply to lefluromide some places is say don't have alcahol and some say none at all, it's confusingb when it's the NHS versus the NHS consultant!
I too believe there is a link between, liver/ gall bladder and kidneys, strangely since having my Gall bladder out my P seems to come and go quite often where as before it was always there all I need to do is get rid of my liver and kidneys and I should be fine

[Nicknackwack]

For me this is a complete no-brainer.

One word ~ nephrotoxicity !

All systemic drugs used to treat p (Cyclo, MTX, Neo /Acitretin, FAE's etc) have toxic side effects and can compromise your renal function. Your liver and kidneys will be working hard coping with the toxic effects of systemics and the risk of nephrotoxicity is increased.

So if your add alcohol on top of your systemic drug then it a) increases the risks considerably, b) reduces the effectiveness of the drug and your treatment.

Plus alcohol is a known trigger for p in most sufferers and alcohol "dries" the skin.

[beat-the-p]

all I need to do is get rid of my liver and kidneys and I should be fine

   
 

All systemic drugs used to treat p (Cyclo, MTX, Neo /Acitretin, FAE's etc) have toxic side effects and can compromise your renal function. Your liver and kidneys will be working hard coping with the toxic effects of systemics and the risk of nephrotoxicity is increased.

Totally agree Nick but the info states:

National guidelines recommend that patients taking low-dose weekly methotrexate (by any route of administration) should ensure their consumption of alcohol is well within maximum national limits (two to three units a day for women and three to four units a day for men, with at least one or two alcohol-free days per week). Patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis should not drink more than six units of alcohol per week because they may have a higher risk for liver toxicity than those with other inflammatory conditions.

We must be more at risk of liver problems due our condision...as compared with other people taking low dose mtx.

Anyone got any more info on whats different about our livers?

[Oisin]

It's not what's different about our livers its what's different about our particular arthritis, RA generally just attacks the joints, PA attacks the joints and the connective tissue (tendons etc) and more rarely still it can attack vital organs such as the liver. In other words PA on its own, without any medication can cause liver damage so we are at higher risk than people with other forms of arthritis.

[jceeyore1975]

The blurb I received from my local NHS health board on a fact sheet was was:

 "Alcohol can be consumed. 5-6 glasses of wine or 2-3 pints of larger per week. no spirits "

This is my first week on Methotrexate. I don't drink much but I do like a nice glass of wine on a Friday night. Going to try and be good though. Bought some J20 instead today.

JC.

[JerryC]

I asked my Rheumy nurse whether I could drink on MTX and she replied ' It will make you extremely I'll ) - so I didn't drink for 3 months. At my next clinic I spoke to my Consultant who said I could drink in moderation.  Conflicting views from two 'experts'.  All I can say is that alcohol seems to exacerbate my PA symptoms, so I try and steer clear/drink less. 

[MsBrightside]

I've been on methotrexate for three years and didn't drink at all for 18 months. I asked my consultant if I could come off it for a few weeks to have a few drinks at a friends wedding, he said that I shouldn't need to come off it as long as I didn't get falling over drunk. Unfortunately for me, after two glasses of wine and my weakened intolerance, I drank alot! I didn't feel ill, my P didn't flare up and I didn't drink again afterwards. I did tell my nurse and she didn't seem too concerned.

The information I have been given from my consultant and the doctors I've seen in his absence, has differed and I'm still not 100% on whether the effects of drinking whilst on the meds is a short term worry meaning that it's only when alcohol is in your system that you should be concerned or if the damage is a long term concern, or both.

I was on 15 mg and have been reduced to 10mg.