Moderate drinking 'does not risk liver damage for methotrexate users'

People receiving the common rheumatoidarthritis therapymethotrexate can safely drink moderate amounts of alcohol without running the risk of liver damage. This is according to a new study from the University of Manchester, funded by Arthritis Research UK, which shows that drinking 14 units of alcohol or fewer per week is not likely to cause any liver health issues. Sticking to modest levels of drinking'likely to be safe' Methotrexate is often taken over extended periods of time to limit or prevent joint damage and disability associated withrheumatoid arthritis. Generally, those receiving the drug are advised to abstain from alcohol, as methotrexate and alcohol in combination are known to increase the risk of liver damage. However, it was not known whether sticking to a modest amount of alcohol would mitigate this risk, so scientists examined data taken from 11,839 people with rheumatoid arthritis who were taking methotrexate and had at least six liver function test results per year. Results published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that there was no increased risk associated with drinking 14 units or less, compared to people who drank no alcohol at all. Those drinking 15 to 21 units had a 33 per cent higher probability of liver damage, rising to 81 per cent for those consuming more than 21 units. Providing clearer guidance for patients Although the findings confirm that heavy drinking in combination with methotrexate does pose an elevated risk of liver ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news