eyes are burning - could it be the Methotrexate?

I have no experience with Methotrexate, however, there is an excellent site called Drugs.com. I would go there & look up the potential side effects, its list SE's from common to rare.

Hopefully it's not the new medication, but I would read up on it.

---

Susie
Moderator in Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums

No, I've never had that with methotrexate.

But what you described sounded like dry eyes to me. Found this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7296473

Dunno how high "high dose" methotrexate is, but it does seem plausible that methotrexate could be the cause of your eye issues. But to get a more definite diagnosis, I would see an optometrist.

---

Dx Crohn's in June 2000. (Yay )
Tried: 5-ASAs, azathioprine, 6MP, Remicade, methotrexate, Humira, diets.
1st surgery 20/2/13 - subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy.
2nd surgery 10/7/15 - ileorectal anastomosis. Stoma reversed and ileum connected to the rectum.
Current status: Chronic flare. Do I have any other kind?
Current meds: 50mg 6MP; Entyvio (started 3/11/16)

I am having a similar experience. I have been on methotrexate for 5 weeks now. After the first dose I had a major headache, the second dose was a little better and after that not much of any side effects until my last one (#5). Within a hour of taking the medicine my eyes started to burn, not real bad but enough to be uncomfortable and I find myself closing my eyes quite often. I am on day # 3 now since I had the last dose and the burning is getting better but still there. I am also on Folic Acid to help combat the side effects of the Methotrexate so who knows if the burning would be worse if I was not on that. I'll talk to my Doctor if my next dose of Methotrexate causes more burning.

I think it is good to inform your doctor about the problems you are experiencing while you are on MTX. Make sure your doctor is attentive, and knows what he is doing.

Post Edited (xy123) : 11/30/2018 3:33:43 PM (GMT-7)

Dale, that is so similar to what I am experiencing. I've been on it for about 4 weeks now (12.5 mg each week) Since I never get headaches I noticed that right away but the eyes burning is concerning. I called the eye dr but can't get in until next month. It's definitely not dry eye, I've experienced that before and know what it feels like, this is actual burning, like smoke in your eyes. One of my eyes was puffy and swollen last night but is back down today. I'll take my next dose since it's on Monday but will call my GI; I'm sure he won't know and recommend I go to the eye dr.
Zen, I'm taking 1mg folic acid everyday too and am hoping my hair is just shedding a little bit. It's fallen out a lot during 2 bad flares since I was dx'ed and that was such an added stress to am already tough situation. I know it shouldn't be something I care about if my flare is under control but I guess it's just harder especially being a girl. Did the hair loss stop or slow down at any point during the 4 months? Why did you stop taking it after 4 months, did your dr just decide that was enough of a short term treatment? My dr has said I'd be on it anywhere from 3-9 months so who knows. Thank you for replying, side effects can be tough to diagnose!

Dale, I tried to be more aware of the time myself and the burning in my eyes and watering seemed to slow/almost stop as the week went on - I took my Methotrexate dose on Tuesday and yesterday and today the burning and watering in my eyes has returned. Is this common with other people across the board?

Just to update, it seems the burning starts 24 hours after my dose of Methotrexate and lasts on and off for about 3 days. It's not just mild burning, it's like the kind where of you're chopping onions your eyes water and you can't keep them open. I was driving today and had to pull over because I literally couldn't see. I'm waiting to hear back from the dr; IDK if he'll care or not but in case this happens to someone else it seems it is from the methotrexate dose.