Antibiotics & MTX Question | Arthritis Information

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I've been a little under the weather for several weeks - started off with a slight sore throat and ears hurting for a day or two, but now have a cough (mostly a dry annoying cough) that just won't go away and I'm dizzy when getting out of bed.

 
Went to the doctor yesterday and he told me to take Azithromycin (3 tablets for 3 days).  I'm on Enbrel and MTX.  He said I didn't need to stop either of those.  My memory is bad, but I thought I read somewhere that MTX should be stopped prior to taking antibiotics.
 
Do you stop any of your medicine when you have to take antibiotics?  Thanks.

My dr. usually doesn't have me stop the mtx. It stays in your system for weeks even when you stop.  Same with the biologics.  The only time I've had them stopped was when I was hospitalized for infections.

 
Hope you feel better!
Flamingo,
 
I think it depends on the antibiotic. I think that tetracyclines should not be taken with mtx but others are okay. Here's some info:
 

Other medicines may interfere with methotrexate.

Many medications may result in an increase in side effects or a decrease in the effectiveness of methotrexate or the other drug. Tell your doctor all the medicines you are taking, whether they are prescription or non-prescription medicines. If you are having an operation with a general anaesthetic, tell the anaesthetist you are on methotrexate.

Do not begin or change the dosage of any medicine without first checking with your doctor. This is especially true of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents.

Like methotrexate, antibiotics that contain the drug trimethoprim or cotrimoxazole antagonise folate. Taking them at the same time as methotrexate could result in unexpected and dangerous toxicity.

Aspirin and aspirin-like drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) may reduce how much methotrexate is eliminated by the kidneys. This could potentially result in a toxic build-up of methotrexate in the blood stream. Anti-inflammatories can often be taken safely but you should have regular blood tests if you start these medicines or others, as advised by your doctor. Alternatively, you could take paracetamol (acetominophen), as this does not interfere with methotrexate.

Live vaccines may be ineffective in those taking methotrexate or cause allergic reactions.

 
LEV
Thanks Rebecca and Lev.  Although I was diagnosed with RA 4 years ago, I am constantly amazed at how much I don't understand about RA.  And it sure doesn't help that my brain isn't working as well as in years past - I seem to be confused, muddled, and can't retain what I read.  I guess that isn't an RA side effect though - my mother than severe RA for over 30 years and her mind was sharp as a tack.
 
I've taken the 3 azithromyecin pills without any problem while on MTX and Ebrel, but my cough and dizziness continue.  Oh well, it was worth a try.

My RD has me stop the biologic med and depending on the infection/antibiotic use maybe MXT.  My last infection started with a slight sinus pressure and I continued with my 2nd Orencia infusion, sinuses didn't worsen and I had my 3rd infusion and ended up in the hospital last week for 3 days battling pneumonia.  I'm now recuperating and on oxygen for another week.  I would be extremely careful about continuing Enbrel when treating an infection with antibiotics.  Lindy 

My RD has told me to never give up the MTX without speaking to him first.... I will stop my enbrel any time I develop an infection or if I am put on an antibiotic.. (sometimes I just need to lay off the enbrel to clear up the infection but others require antibiotics)
I hope you both, Flamingo and LinB, start feeling better quickly!!
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