risk of hair loss with METHOTREXATE?

[runaway_chief]

Hi everybody. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I have to take one table of 2.5 mgs of methotrexate saturdays and sundays in the morning and in the evening. I read that one side effect of nethotrexate is hair loss. I want to know if somebody knows in how much time I'm going to loss hair with that dossis, please.

Thanks for the info.

[ladypam]

The effect of medications often vary for each person. Some can experience all side effects and some, just a few. Methotrexate often targets unwanted cells, to get rid of it. However, it can also affect other cells in the body, including hair follicles, thus the hair loss.

For some, the hair loss is immediate. Others, not until several weeks or months. With your dosage, which is quite minimal as compared to others who take it everyday, your chances of having hair loss are probably lowered.

You may want to monitor the condition of your hair. If you notice clumps of hair falling out, then you may want to try alternatives to preventing it from showing. Fortunately, hair loss is just a temporary situation. Your hair will grow back again after the methotrexate treatment.

Hope this helps.

[tinmuning]

Abrupt diffuse hair loss will typically be noticed after two or more months from the time the time the medication was started. Once the medication is discontinued, or with time, the shedding will gradually resolve over 6-9 months.