Methotrexate and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• kpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 35 years. I finally found a rheumatologist that was very good. I started on Plaquenil, which was great, but I developed an allergy to it. Switched to methotrexate oral, but had a hard time tolerating the nausea and diarrhea. Switched to injectable methotrexate, and had no nausea, limited diarrhea. It worked moderately well for the RA. Not completely pain free, but could do most things most days. I got cellulitis while on it, so had to go off for about 3 mos. When I went back to it, it didn't seem to work quite as well, and I realized I was experiencing more side effects than I was aware of the first time: thin skin, dermatitis, bruising, bleeding, hair falling out. New rheumatologist (my good one moved) decided to try Arava."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started on a low dose about 18 months ago and gradually increased to 5 tabs weekly along with leucovorin (folinic acid) since folic acid didn't stop side effects. Had horrible reactions to several other meds. Joints feel better most days except for flare-ups, which is when doc says to increase. Eight months ago, I started having severe abdominal pain, nausea, and sudden urgent bouts of diarrhea. RA doc said it's NOT MTX. Have had two internal and two external ultrasounds, lab tests, endoscopy with seven biopsies, gallbladder functions test, etc. They only found that my stomach lining is inflamed. Saw three docs plus RA doc, and I still say it's the MTX! Just increased the dose by one tab again, and I barely made it to the toilet! Now they want to try removing my gallbladder to see if it helps, even though low no tests showed it's that!!! Pain is on the upper right side at the bottom of my stomach and goes down from there four inches next to my belly button. Also, the GI doc ruled out appendix, diverticulitis, etc. HELP my belly pain!"

• hop...
• June 9, 2015

For Psoriasis "Just started the 15 mg dose taken as 6 x 2.5 mg tablets. 1st week taking them I had explosive diarrhea after 1 hour of taking the medication. I hoped it was coincidence. 1 week later I am already seeing an improvement in my psoriasis. I took the dosage this week on an empty stomach and within an hour stomach cramps and diarrhea. I am going to stick with it until my appointment with the dermatologist when I will ask for injections instead. I did have very mild nausea and a slightly fuzzy head after. I will keep you all updated."

• Emm...
• June 15, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took one dose of three 2.5 mg tablets, and it almost killed me. I ran a fever, had chills, diarrhea, and couldn’t breathe well. I am now taking breathing treatments and hopefully will recover without any damage to my body."

• Kim...
• October 12, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "So far, I have experienced great results. I double up on my folic acid the day of and after my injection, as it helps with being tired. I do experience diarrhea about 24-48 hours after taking the shot."

• Mai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on 15 mg, then 20 mg for two years. Then developed constant, explosive diarrhea, dizziness, and confusion. Judged to be allergic, and told to stop the medication immediately. The symptoms continue... How long before it gets better? I am not taking anything for RA right now after a week off methotrexate."

• RZC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on this medicine for about 4 years. I tried the pill form, which caused severe vomiting. After 2 doses, it was intolerable, and I was switched to injectable. I felt exhausted and had nausea and diarrhea for 3-4 days, but I was able to get out of bed for the other days, so this was a plus. Unfortunately, I picked up a nasty case of pneumonia even after getting the vaccine. Either I had exposure or it was caused by the methotrexate. I had to stop methotrexate. It took at least 2 months to recover, and I'm still having asthmatic reactions. My doctor says I should continue to stay off it for now. He wants me to restart if RA symptoms return (which they are). I'm terrified to restart. He wants to switch to Simponi, but I'm afraid of that too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was 62 when diagnosed with RA. I am being treated with 25 mg of methotrexate each week, 400 mg of hydroxychloroquine a day, 7.5 mg of meloxicam as needed, 10 mg of prednisone as needed, and 2 folic acid tablets daily. My numbers, both RF and CRP, were extremely high initially. I have gone from extreme pain in my feet, hands, knees, wrists, shoulders, and hips to almost zero pain. I have experienced several side effects from the combination of all these medications: nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, sleeplessness, and headaches. I have lost over 20 lbs. All that being said, I am still far better off than I was without the medication. Prior to taking the medications, I had no life due to the pain, I spent my days on the couch and soaking in hot water. I now have my life back, and I am able to enjoy life again. So although my life may be shortened, I would rather have another 15 years of quality life instead of 30 years of misery."

• AMH...
• April 15, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I told myself I would never take methotrexate until it was prescribed. I read all of the user reviews, and the doctors promote this as some miraculous drug. I started taking this first dose last Saturday and split the dose the first day by taking half in the morning and the rest at night. A recommendation for helping with nausea. My body has still not recovered. On Sunday, I started vomiting at 4:00 PM and followed with severe diarrhea. So bad that I could not make it to the bathroom. None of the reviews mentioned vomiting and diarrhea, especially nonstop. I ended up going to the ER for so much vomiting and diarrhea so bad that I couldn't keep water down. This drug is awful. It is 4 days later, and I have thrown up again last night, and I am still having nausea and stomach pain. I have to go to the doctor tomorrow. I wonder how long these effects can last. The ER told me not to take any more of this drug. My dosage was 15 mg once weekly. The doctor prescribed me sulfasalazine as a replacement."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My experience was terrible. I had a bad reaction to taking methotrexate. I couldn't eat, my mouth and my gums were covered in blisters, I was tired, I couldn't get out of bed for three days, and I lost my appetite-not good when you're type 1 diabetic. On day four, I had diarrhea, and I stopped taking it straight away."

• spi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took MTX at moderate/higher doses for 6 months with folic acid. GI side effects were terrible-mostly diarrhea and resulted in terrible fluid loss/electrolyte issues. It did not help my RA. I lost 50% of my hair by about 6 months. It has now been another 4 months and there is no regrowth that I can see, continued breakage, and some hair fall. I read that the follicle gets damaged and old hair falls out and new hair growth is not healthy and breaks off near the scalp. Takes a long time to repair follicles. Luckily I had a lot of hair, but it's getting scary. Overall, I had a poor experience."

• M12...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 3, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I experience a rash, upper right quadrant pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. I thought I had the flu and didn’t know to contact my doctor. I had no idea that it was destroying my liver."

• FAY...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2023

For Psoriasis "In the beginning, I used to get very fatigued and had diarrhea. Now, 5 years later, I am okay. I am still on the meds, and they are really helping me."