I currently take 6 tablets of MTX weekly but I hear that some people receive it by injection. What's the difference here and is one preferable over the other? Thanks.
You take 6 tablets of MTX weekly? What is your dosage? Are you taking folic acid with the MTX? That is extremely important!!
I prefer the injectable over the pill form because I have found to have less stomach side effects. The medication is absorbed faster and more of it is absorbed with the injection. The only side effect that I really have from the injection is that I am very tired the next day. So if you plan to switch...do your shot on a day that you can rest the following day until you know what your side effects may be.
The injections are also easy as pie to do. It does not burn or sting.
Hi,Hi,
I was taking 6 MTX pills weekly too, but I had trouble with nausea big time so we switched to the injectible MTX. The difference is like the difference between daylight and dark, no more nausea or stomache trouble, but I am tired the next day. I would not go back to the pills unless I just had too for some reason. Also, my rd says that the pills are not always fully digested by some people but with the shots you get the full benefit.
I'm on 6 tablets of 2.5 mg each -- taken weekly. Yes, I take folic acid daily. I guess I should change my signature and list my meds---it's quite a list!!! :) Thanks for the info, everyone. I thought MTX wasn't bothering my stomach but now that you mention it, I do get acid reflux on occasion. I see the rheumatologist end of Dec---we'll have to discuss which way I should take the MTX. MTX comes in 15mg pills. I don't understand why your RD has you taking 6 pills weekly instead of just 1 15 mg pill. I don't think I have heard of it being done that way before. Did your rd say way he has you doing it that way?BUMPgrammaskittles,
I don't know about anyone else but my rd put me on 2.5mg. rather than 15mg. pills so that we could adjust the dosage without having to split pills or anything.
jamie
Im on 5 a week in pill form as well....2.5 each. Folic acid taken two days after. My doctor suggested that by taking the smaller dosage pills it didnt upset the stomach as much....and he must be right as I havent had any discomfort at all. I was on 8 a week over a year ago and didnt have any issues then either.