Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Injectable MTX

My Dr. want's to start me MTX weekly as an injectable. The pharmacy is going to teach me how to do this. I am now on Remicade and he think's that this will help. Is anyone else on the injectable MTX. Any suggestion's or concern's?

I have read a lot of article's on here about MTX but I haven't seen anyone injecting it.

Hi Pea,

I haven't been on mtx myself but I think that Wendy is on mtx by injections. Apparently it is better tolerated - less side effects!

Perhaps send Wendy a PM if she doesn't find your post, or have a peek through the #1 RA Support forum.

Good luck with it!
mig

From what I have read, the injectable MTX is much easier on the liver. I haven't read any posts complaining about the shots, they must be easy. I hope it works for you.

Hi Pea,

I inject methotrexate once a week and have tolerated it this way much better than when taking it orally.

It's very easy to do - my doctor gave me a lesson and then I did it in his office for the next two weeks before managing by myself at home.

I think it may be important to increase the dose of mtx very very slowly starting with a low dose - in my opinion, much lower than most doctors typically start you. I think that's why I had such success - I allowed my body lots of time to adjust to the drug and didn't try to rush it.

Donna - I don't believe injecting mtx is any easier on the liver - I still need the same regular liver tests. But it is easier on the digestive system and is less likely to cause nausea.

I think Mikki (Momofmany) is also injecting MTX and has found it good on the nausea that she had with oral meds...

There have been a couple of others who have done so, too. I think Rumble is on Remicade(or some biologic) as well as MTX but not sure if it is oral or injected.

Rumble is actually on Enbrel with oral MTX (MTX is going well). (hugs to you)

I haven't heard of anyone who does MTX by injection actually giving it up because of the shots.

Thank you all for the help. I am waiting for him to review my chest x-ray that he required first so I'm glad I am getting this info. beforehand. He said he started me on the lowest dose for now. I am in a huge flare and a little concerned with the side effects I might encounter. You all have encouraged me.

The needles are tiny and I think I will be able to do it on my own the first time. It is an hour and a half away if I want the nurse to show me how to do it. I have used the injector pens with the Humira and Imitrex for migraines. These needles look as small and I am used to the prick and having to hold the injector into place and counting to 10 so I think it is doable. The pharmacist walked me through the whole procedure. I forgot to ask if the syringes could be re-used though. Do you user's re-use you're s? Thank's again.

I wouldn't reuse them. Too much risk for infection.

You absolutely cannot reuse the syringes!

I use two needles - a larger one to draw the dose, then change to the tiny one to inject. There is an excellent video online that shows you the correct way to do the injection. I'll look for it later and post the link here.

It is not at all the same as using an auto-injector pen so I think you would find it helpful to be shown how to do it the first time. My doctor is an excellent teacher and someone who is able to give you a shot that you virtually can't feel so I was very happy to have him show me. He's the reason I use two needles which I'll explain later. Have to run - got to get to work!