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Methotrexate/Remicade and Loss of Libido

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Posted 8/3/2007 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

We are new to this site. Glad we found it.  So, here is the question.  I have been experiencing a loss of libido since I started taking both of these drugs.  Not sure if it is one of them, both of them, or none of them.  Is this a side effect of these drugs?  If so, what can I do?  The medication has been great for my RA  but my husband and I are wondering how to deal with this side effect.  Thanks.

 

Posted 8/3/2007 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there mtm.. welcome to healing well... So very sorry it is under these conditions.. Actually yes, one of the side effects of Methotrexate is reduced libido and even impotence in men.. Have you talked to your rheumy about it? He may be able to give you something to help with that.. I am assuming the Remicade is long term, is the Methotrexate going to be long term as well? Hang in there and keep us posted..
Posted 8/4/2007 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Just my experience...I never experienced a loss of libido on Remicade. I currently have the same problem but I think mine is from the Prednisone or my antidepressant.

Maybe its the methotrexate?....be careful..Ive heard that drug causes some long term sideeffects
Posted 9/25/2007 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello mtm,
I am a new member of the forum too. Have been on methotrexate, prednisone and plaquenil, etc. for about 5 years now. Guess it depends on where your priorities are. I experienced much more loss of libido before these drugs began to 'check' my pain and make it more manageable for me. However, not as amorous as I once was. Of course am a lot older than I once was.

Our lives (spouse) are so full that this has not been a serious problem for us. If it is for you, seek help.
Wish you success with this.

arthurmary
Posted 12/20/2009 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, this isn't good news. I've been on it for 3 weeks at 1ml per week. Perhaps the dosage matters too. I'll have to keep an eye on this one.
Posted 12/20/2009 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there to you all,

Well for me to see this post makes a lot of sense .......I certainly don't feel so bad now, as I've been trying to work out why I was feeling less interested for many many months.  So it could be mthx or remicade as I was until last month on both (had to come off mthx due to liver complications).  If it was mthx then hopefully for me things will improve.smilewinkgrin

Hang in there and like the others have said 'ask your doctor' I should have months ago......and maybe today when I see him will ask.

All the best.

Peggy.

Posted 12/21/2009 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
I've just been switched onto remicade from humira and I've been on mtx for a couple of years. I feel fine, no loss at all, but I also started HRT 2 months ago so maybe that is helping me. If I start to lose it we'll know it could be the remicade!!!

But I agree, pain can be a downer, talk to your rheumy, golitho
Posted 6/6/2012 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm only 33 and my libido is gone. And i mean GONE! I'm really really concerned. I know this is a taboo subject but I'm only just rehabilitated out of a wheelchair and been on methotrexate for about over 8 months. I thought my low interest was due to pain which it was a factor. But as I'm feeling much better and would like to date and one day have children. Im starting to get really worried. I can't come off the metho cause I loose my body and on it I have zero sex drive. At a young age this is very much a problem for me. I better tell my doctor. I'm really upset. cry
This was meant to be an exciting time as its been a ruff few years losing my body to RA. (I have it in every joint). And now who's gonna want someone who can't do ......that.
Posted 6/17/2014 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Prednisolone and methotrexate for RA for 7 years and for some of this time Celacoxhib also - result = sexual disaster.
used to use Viagra and Cialis to counteract it but even they stopped working. Five months ago I went to see a consultant urologist who told me that ALL of these drugs cause the problem and the steroid shrinks your nuts (so true) I have ignored all other doctors and RA specialist and come off both. Slowly because you cannot just quit prednisolone and Mtx. Since then my condition is improving slowly and night time erections are returning. I am using Ibuprofen to cope with the RA until I prove I am capable again. I have told my RA consultant to leave me alone and he has given me 4 months to test the issue. After that we will discuss what I should be on and then it will be HONEST discussion and not the closed uninformed rubbish I was given since I got this disease.
Posted 6/17/2014 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for digging this old post up. I had no idea mtx could have an effect on libidos. I have been wondering now for months what the deal is and now I know :(
Posted 6/17/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
RAB, so very sorry for what you've been going through. Just remember to keep that line of communication open between you and your doctor. Maybe one of the new JAK inhibitors could help you out better, maybe get a RA magazine and look at all the newer meds that have come out.
They are even using an older approach for RA using Antibotic treatments which might help you out.
Just a side note, you commented on an older thread and some of the people from 2012 are not here anymore, so it might be good to start a newer thread and introduce yourself.
Many well wishes in your RA fight. Hope you come and post more often.
Welcome!
Posted 10/25/2014 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am on 25 mg metheltrexate every week & 600 mg Remicade every 6 weeks. I have NO sex drive, what can I do?
Posted 10/25/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Remicade and Methotrexate for several years and never lost libido, I guess everyone is different.

I did however take Effexor for a bout of depression once and that stuff certainly caused a forced abstinence!
Posted 11/11/2017 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
glad(in a way) to see the posts concerning low libido resulting from taking methotrexate. this drug has been a godsend for RA relief-nothing else touched it. I've been taking 8 2.5mg once a week for 3 years

sad that it seems it may be the culprit of my lost sex drive. I didn't see it listed in the side-effect searches I've done on MTX specifically..... I'm 63 and was ready to just attribute it to age. It's not causing a problem in my marriage, as we had slowed down some years ago...

Thank you to all who've posted
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