Methotrexatecan cause weight gain in some people.
However, you may not gain as much with methotrexate as with other drugs for this chronicautoimmune disease.
This article looks at what the current research says about methotrexate and weight gain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Blend Images/John Fedele / Getty Images
Blend Images/John Fedele / Getty Images
Does Methotrexate Make You Gain Weight?
The cause of the gain is thought to be due to fluid retention and increased appetite.
While there are concerns about weight gain, they tend to be modest.
This was interesting for several reasons:
What Causes the Weight Gain?
Rather, it is thought to be because of an overall reduction in inflammation.
When inflammation is reduced, so too is your REE.
Weight Fluctuations and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Weight fluctuations are common with rheumatoid arthritis irrespective of treatment.
And, this is concerning given that even modest weight fluctuations can lead to worse outcomes.
It’s more about achieving and maintaining a normal weight if you are living with RA.
If you are overweight, these lifestyle interventions are all the more important.
This is becausebeing overweight or having obesitydecreases your chances of remission and increases the odds of a flare-up.
There are several ways to achieve this:
Exercise
Exercise is a key component of health.
Developing positive self-talk can also be a great way to reduce stress levels.
2021 Jul;73(7):924-39. doi: 10.1002/acr.24596.
doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001498
Arthritis Foundation.Methotrexate: managing side effects.
Finan, P., Zautra, A.Stress affects rheumatoid arthritis, but via what mechanisms?.Nat Rev Rheumatol.
