Q. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my doctor told me to stop taking methotrexate while I was recovering from a virus. Why?
A
Methotrexate and many other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are typically paused during viral or bacterial infections because they can impair your body’s ability to fight off the infection. You may be able to continue the methotrexate for a mild viral illness, like a cold, but for more severe illness, your doctor may recommend a pause. The same action that modulates your immune system and helps reduce your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can interfere when your body is fighting a real infection. There is also a greater risk of a secondary bacterial infection if taking methotrexate.
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