I have rheumatoid arthritis & take methotrexate. All the pharmacies are out of it.

[crush]

What happens if I have to stop taking it? I live in Mexico, have checked pharmacies in 3 nearby cities and looked for the medicine online. No one has any. Are there substitutes? I also take Prednisone. Could I amp up the dosage until methotrexate is available again?

[Tinka]

Methotraxate is not likely to give you bad symptoms if you stop taking it, but Prednisone is a steroid which can have strong side effects. Before changing your dose you should talk to your doctor.

[Melly]

Going a few weeks or even more without your Methotrexate won't harm you. You may start to flare up a bit as it leaves your system especially if it is the only RA drug ( besides the anti- inflammatories and steroids ) you are taking.

Often, you have to go off Methotrexate temporarily anyway if you get a flu or some other "bug" or infection of any type. Also you have to stop it a lot of times prior to any invasive procedure or surgery so it's pretty common for people immune disorders to have to go without here and there.

Also, If you DO really flare up, your Doc will sometimes suggest a "pred pack" or short term high dose course of prednisone. Or in all honesty I keep a little "stash" these days and increase and decrease my dose accordingly although I would not necessarily suggest that to others.

While Prednisone in my opinion is a total wonder drug, it does have some
really nasty long term negative side effects by the way.
Regards, Melly

[Jazie]

I would not play with your Prednisone dosage without talking to your Dr first. Let him know you can't find methotrexate and have him determine what the best course of action is.

Prednisone has some nasty WD's and I have personally had a family member go through hell not following directions.

I hope all goes well for you.