Methotrexate and Alcohol / Food Interactions
There are 3 alcohol/food/lifestyle interactions with methotrexate which include:
methotrexate ↔ Caffeine
Moderate Drug Interaction
Using caffeine together with methotrexate may decrease the effects of methotrexate. Contact your doctor if your condition changes. If you consume substantial amounts of caffeine and caffeine-containing foods and are prescribed methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, it may be appropriate to limit caffeine intake if an interaction is suspected. You may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use this combination. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
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methotrexate ↔ Alcohol (Ethanol)
Moderate Drug Interaction
Talk to your doctor before using methotrexate together with ethanol. Methotrexate may cause liver problems, and taking it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as ethanol may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Call your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark colored urine, light colored stools, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
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methotrexate ↔ food
Moderate Food Interaction
It may be appropriate to limit or avoid caffeine intake if you are taking methotrexate. Avoid drinks, foods, or diet pills that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. Taking a stimulant together with methotrexate can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects This can cause headache, lightheadedness, restlessness, or insomnia. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking methotrexate. Consuming alcohol can increase your risk of liver problems.
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You should also know about...
methotrexate drug Interactions
There are 727 drug interactions with methotrexate
See also...
Drug Interaction Classification
The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables.
| Major | Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. |
| Moderate | Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. |
| Minor | Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. |
Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
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