Zofran May Help Arthritis Patients With Nausea Related to Oral Methotrexate

About one-fourth of rheumatoid arthritis patients taking oral methotrexate complain of nausea. It can be a small annoyance or a big problem. Some patients switch to injectable methotrexate hoping to eliminate the problem. Others have found it helpful to divide the dose of methotrexate or take the pills with their evening meal.

According to the January 2012 issue of Rheumatology News, a respected doctor from Manchester, England suggests taking the drug Zofran (ondansetron) 2 hours before methotrexate and again 12 hours after the methotrexate dose. Zofran is a serotonin receptor antagonist used to treat nausea. Patients who experience nausea following methotrexate typically begin to feel poorly 12 hours after the dose and the nausea can last up to 72 hours. If nausea is a problem for you, discuss Zofran with your doctor.

Related Articles:

• Methotrexate - 10 Things You Should Know
• Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Methotrexate - Is Injectable Better Than Oral?

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