Methotrexate is not a quick fix for JRA...

1. It is not a quick fix.

In some patients you can see effects after a few weeks but it could be up to 12 weeks before you notice anything.

2. Regular Monitoring is Very Important.

There are serious side effects in some patients, including liver problems. Regular blood tests can help monitor the effects of methotrexate

3. It must be taken with folic acid.

Methotrexate interferes with the body’s ability to use folate and over time it can deplete it. This can cause diarehea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, and hair loss.

4. Taking with food doesn’t help the nasuea.

Methotrexate Nausea isn’t related to the stomach but to a stimulation of a receptor in the brain that causes nausea.

5. Shots have benefits over pills.

When you give a shot it goes into the body with pills, it depends on what is in the stomach. At higher doses the shots may be safer than pills because it is distributed through the body via circulatory system than pills which are digested abd go directly to the liver.

6.Methotrexate is used together with other drugs.

Recent studies have shown that methotrexate works better with biologic agents or other DMARDs.

7. The injection is drinkable

If you can’t take a pill, the doctor can prescribed the injection liquid.

8. Alcohol is off limits.

Taking Methotrexate and drinking alcohol increases the risk of liver damage. No underage drinking!

9. It doesn’t work for all kids.

Researchers found that kids who were sick longer before they began methotrexate benefited less from it.