Guest guest Posted April 3, 2005 Report Share Posted April 3, 2005 Hi a, Taking Methotrexate by injection is just another way of getting that same medication. Particularly at higher doses it tends to have fewer side effects, and the medication is more efficiently absorbed by the body. If Enbrel and Humira are out for you, two other possibilities (I'm on both) are Arava, which comes as a pill, and Kineret, which is a daily injection. Enbrel, Humira and Remicade all work against the tumor necrosis factor or TNF. Kineret works against Interlukin 1 (I think), so fights a different part of the inflammatory process. Daily injections aren't fun, but if it works for you it's worth it! Arava isn't a biologic agent, but works in some way to suppress the immune system. Many people have trouble with side effects, and it can be hard on the liver, but again, it may work for you. The frustrating thing with all of these drugs is that it takes a month or two to know if they are working for you. I hope you find something to help you out! Beth > > Hi there... > > I had never heard of methotrexate injections...that's a new method to > me. I am wondering what my rheumy will put me on now that the Enbrel > and Humira injections are out. > > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2005 Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 a - I took methotrexate injections for almost 2 years until they were unavailable due to some patent dispute or something last November. Due to gastritis (due to RA meds) I am unable to take methotrexate pills--I took .5cc of injectable methotrexate every other week. Does anyone know if the injectables are back on the market yet? K -- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , " a " <pdelarosa@n...> wrote: > > Hi there... > > I had never heard of methotrexate injections...that's a new method to > me. I am wondering what my rheumy will put me on now that the Enbrel > and Humira injections are out. > > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2005 Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 Steph - I like your version better than my rheumy's and pharamacists' versions. My rheumy said (when I visited him December) that there are two companies fighting over patent rights since alot of doctors are putting their patients on methotrexate now. Something about the patent had expired (since methotrexate has been around since the early 1950s) and the original company didn't like having competition so they have a suit going against a company in the Domencian Republic that's been supplying the full dosage vials. Back in November my pharamacist said that you could still get the single dose vials that were supplied by a second company (but the suit may have stopped that production too). But insurance companies were not allowing RA patients to use those vials due to cost. Like I said, I like your story better, the one I got has a little too much drama in it. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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