Methotrexate Verses Imuran
 |
Hello, I am a SLE patients with CNS Involvement and severe arthritis pain. I have been on prednisone and Plaquenil for over 8 years. The prednisone is now doing damage to my bones. My Rheumatologist wants me either in Methotrexate or Imuran. I like to know what is the difference (side effects, etc) and know which would be better for me. |
 |
Both medications have been around for a long time and there is good long term information on their use. Methotrexate is most often used for rheumatoid arthritis, while Imuran is used extensively in patients with kidney transplants. Both are well tolerated. Side effects are similar. Both can affect the liver and blood counts and must be monitored with regular bloodwork. Imuran and methotrexate have been used as "steroid sparing" drugs-- drugs used in place of prednisone. Without knowing more about your condition, it is hard to say which would be better. |
Last update: 12:21 AM Thursday, April 26, 2007
Tell A Friend
Author:
Alan Matsumoto, M.D.
Views: 5
Reference Links
Related Questions:
- positive ANA test and lupus
- Is this lupus?
- lupus
- Lupus and prednisone
- Anti-DNA antibodies
- Joint pain and mouth ulcers....is this lupus?
- Lupus and ANA test
- What does positive anti-DNA mean?
- Treating Lupus
- Could taking steroids while having the anti-ds, sm and rnp bloodwork drawn cause a false negative?
- Ankle swelling and inflammation after Pregnancy
- Lupus and Pregnancy Information
- Regional Back and Neck Pain related to SSA Level?
- ANA Negative Lupus
- What do you think of ELISA testing for ANA as opposed to IFA testing?
- Polychrondritis
- fibromyalgia and arthritis
- SLE Research
- Lupus question
- Lupus and Pregnancy
- ANA test positive, but doctor says not to worry.
- Lupus Diagnosis with no symptoms?
- differentiating symptoms
- Lupus and Pregnancy
- Teenage-hormones may have started Lupus
- Positive/Negative Lupus Test Results
- Pain and/or swelling in fingers wrists ankles feet
- Can SLE be exacerbated by TNF agents
- Lupus and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and lupus nephritis
- TREATMENT OF LUPUS WITHOUT STEROIDS?????
- What would you do if one of your patients
- elevated total compliment blood test
- Positive ANA Turned Negative
- positive ana and anti-scl-70
- Anti Nuclear Antibody out of range
- lupus life expectancy
- test for arthritis
- Lupus and statins
- Not Sure If I Have Lupus
- Anti-ds dna test
- Anti-ds dna test
- RA
- Lupus and APS
- lupus/high blood pressure
- High ANA, indeterminate dsDNA, slight rash...
- Anti-dna levels over 1000
- Re: Anti-dna levels over 1000
- sedrate results
- SLE, deep vein thrombosis, coumadin
- Antibody levels and meaning
- MTX vs Plaquenil
- breast implants and lupus
- Question regarding referral
- ANA + CENTROMERE PATTERN
- lupus symptoms
- Re: anti-nuclear antibodies
- Lupus/Pregnancy
- why low dose prednisone?
