Methotrexate online prescription for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently has no cure but can be managed with personalized treatment plans including medication and lifestyle changes.⁷ For people with rheumatoid arthritis, their immune systems attack healthy cells in the joints and cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.⁶ Methotrexate slows down the overactivity of the immune system and therefore reduces the inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.^{1, 2}  

Psoriasis is another autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, causing swelling and leading to an overgrowth of skin cells.⁸ This overgrowth leads to thickened, scaly patches of discolored skin—called plaques–that can be painful or itchy.⁸ Methotrexate is typically prescribed to people with severe psoriasis that has not responded to other oral or topical medications.^{2, 5} By slowing the activity of the immune system, Methotrexate reduces the development of plaques and therefore decreases symptoms associated with psoriasis flare-ups.¹ 

Beyond experiencing skin-related symptoms, some people with psoriasis will also develop inflammation in their joints.⁹ This is called psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Doctors will often prescribe Methotrexate to treat symptoms of PsA.¹⁰ However, this medication is not officially approved for use against psoriatic arthritis, and there is limited evidence that the benefits of Methotrexate outweigh the side effects when using it to treat PsA.^{10, 11}

The most common side effects associated with Methotrexate are nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and ulcers or canker sores in the mouth (mucosal ulcers).³ People also may experience joint pain, stomach pain, headaches, hair loss, swelling of the feet or legs, and dizziness.^{1, 2, 3, 13} The more serious side effects from taking Methotrexate include severe allergic reactions, lung damage, bone marrow suppression, pancreatitis, fertility problems, and kidney or liver damage.^{1, 2, 3, 13} Additionally, because Methotrexate can decrease your white blood cell count and your platelet count, infections and excessive bleeding are more likely.¹³

If you experience these or any other adverse reactions when taking Methotrexate, you should contact your doctor immediately, and you should always call 911 in an emergency. It is important to follow up with your doctor for regular blood tests while taking methotrexate.

Methotrexate is a medication that should only be taken as directed by a medical professional. The side effects of this medication can be serious, and it should not be taken by people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant due to a risk of damage to the fetus and medication excretion into breast milk.^{3, 5} Methotrexate may also be more dangerous for people with liver or lung damage, older adults, people with diabetes, or people experiencing obesity.⁵

You should attend all follow-ups with your doctor after starting Methotrexate, carefully measure your dose if you take it at home, and alert your provider if you have any adverse reactions.^{1, 2, 3, 5} If you experience any side effects that are uncomfortable, such as nausea, sores, headaches, or dizziness, contact your provider immediately.¹ In case of emergency, such as severe allergic reactions, infection, or seizures, call 911.¹

Methotrexate interacts with several medications and some common supplements.^{1, 3, 5} If you are taking acitretin for psoriasis (also known as Soriatane), you should avoid taking Methotrexate.¹ Methotrexate also interacts with aspirin, NSAIDs, some antibiotics, some retinoids, some steroids, and several vaccines.^{1, 3, 5} Your doctor may also recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol, and because Methotrexate can make you more prone to sunburn, you should stay out of the sun as much as possible.^{1, 5}

It is also best practice to avoid the potential for infections, cuts, and bruises, given Methotrexate can increase the chance of infection and decrease the body’s blood clotting abilities.¹³ Avoiding people you know have infections, practicing careful dental care to avoid making your gums bleed, avoiding injury caused by contact sports or other strenuous activities, and being careful when using knives and scissors are all good precautions to take.¹³

If you are interested in taking Methotrexate but are not sure if your current medications and lifestyle are a good fit, talk to board-certified online doctors about a personalized treatment plan to help you manage symptoms associated with your chronic condition.

Methotrexate works by decreasing the activity of the immune system and reducing symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as scaly skin for psoriasis or joint pain for arthritis.^{1, 2, 3} If you start to notice a decrease in the severity of flare-ups, you can feel confident that the medication is working.

The typical weekly dose of Methotrexate when treating rheumatoid arthritis is typically 7.5mg a week, but doses can go up to 25mg.¹³

To prevent adverse effects of Methotrexate, you should avoid taking acitretin (Soriatane), aspirin, NSAIDs, antibiotics, retinoids, steroids, and several vaccines.^{1, 3, 5} You can also limit your consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs, and you can avoid sun exposure to limit your chance of sunburn.^{1, 5} Your doctor may also prescribe a folate supplement (folic acid) to prevent bone marrow suppression.³

If you are taking Methotrexate for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, you should notice a decrease in skin- and joint-related symptoms within four to six weeks.¹ For rheumatoid arthritis, a decrease in symptoms can occur anywhere between six weeks and 12 weeks.

One of the more common symptoms associated with Methotrexate is headache, but it should not be taken with aspirin or NSAIDs due to the potential for interactions.^{1, 2, 3, 5} You should always contact your doctor if you have persistent head pain, but ensuring you drink plenty of water is one way to prevent headaches and other side effects.³