Questions in The Dermatology Forum
are being answered by Dr. A. Rockoff, a board certified dermatologist, affiliated
with Tufts University School of Medicine.
Subject: Methotrexate Topic Area: Psoriasis
Forum: The Dermatology Forum
Question Posted By: Dan Pearson on Friday, October 27, 2000
I have had a Psoriasis for about a year now. It got
increasingly worse over the summer and, with the cold weather
approaching here in Minnesota, I requested to be put on Methotrexate a
few months ago.
I have now been on the medication for almost two
months and my skin has improved noticably. Per my doctors instructions,
I have not been drinking alcohol while on the drug.
I will be
going to Europe for 2 weeks in November and asked my dermatologist if I
could discontinue MTX during that time so that I could drink when I'm
there. He stated that he thought that the progress that we have made so
far outweighed the ability to "drink a little beer in Germany" and that
he "felt strongly" that I continue taking the Methotrexate and avoid
alcohol during my trip.
If I discontinue the drug two weeks prior to drinking alcohol are there
possible health issues? I understand what he is saying but feel that
if I choose not to take the drug and risk my skin getting worse temporarily
isn't that my choice? After all, its not like there is any cure for
psoriasis, only temporary relief.
Answer Posted By: Derm M.D. ASR
on Friday, October 27, 2000
Dan:
You're both right. Of course, stopping
methotrexate is not the end of the world, but doing so might put a crimp
in the relationship with your doctor. My advice is to be diplomatic:
tell him that it means a lot to you to enjoy this trip, even if it means
risking a flare of psoriasis. Ask if he's worried about your liver even
if you take time off from the drug. There's no right or wrong here, but
as the Good Book says, a soft answer turneth away wrath.
