Is Methotrexate Banned In Usa For Use In Treatment Of Ra?
Submitted On Wednesday, 7/22/2009 10:21:23 PM USA Pacific Time.
Home >> Topics Submitted >> Is Methotrexate Banned In Usa For Use In Treatment Of Ra?
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I am a patient of RA for last 3 yrs and used to take Folitrax (7.5 mg per week) with HCQS (200 mg daily) along with Folvite (Folic acid). Recently (mid April to mid July 2009), I had a bout of fever associated with absolutely no other symptoms ( frequency 2 to 3 times a day peaking upto 102 F, when I had to take a paracetamol of 650 mg) . Detailed investigation (blood, USG of abdomen, CTscan of chest and abdomen, FNAC from liver) yielded nothing except presence of a few micro abcesses in the liver. The fever went off when the drugs I was being administered during the period of investigation were withdrawn (mid July 2009). Incidentally, RA drugs were stopped by the doctors in mid May 2009, in the initial stage of investigation. I am now (from mid July 2009) off the RA drugs as well as all other drugs I was administered during the course of investigation and have no fever. However, now (last 10 days) I am facing severe bouts of RA inflammation with pain in fingers and wrist joints of both hands as well as knee and ankle joints in both legs. Doctors are hesitant to start Folitrax considering its after-effect on liver and presence of the micro abcesses in my lever. Meanwhile, I understand that Methotrexate has been banned in USA for treatment of RA. Is it true ? If so, what other RA medicine can I use on a long term basis? If not, can I fall back on the RA drug regime I was following earlier forthwith ? An immediate reply will immensely help.
please send a reply about methotexate being banned
2
Verwon Says:
[Moderator]
Friday, 7/24/2009 11:23:41 PM
It seems, according to the FDA website, that due to a problem with some manufacturers, there has been a shortage this year, creating problems obtaining the drug, but I did not find anything listing it as having been banned.
Methotrexate is an antimetabolite and antifolate medication, used in the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases.
Common side effects can include: nausea, abdominal distress and leukopenia.
That said, we are not medical professionals, so we cannot possibly suggest a treatment regimen, the only thing I can do on this is suggest you follow your doctor's advice.
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