Question
I have heard there can be some kind of lung side affect of long term methrotraze. Can you tell me anything about this. I have had a long term cough and can’t seen to get rid of it. I have been on this medicine for over ten years, along with other medication.
Answer
A very small number of patients can develop inflamamtion in the lung related to methotrexate. It can happen any time during methotrexate and is not related to length of therapy. Methotrexate lung problems are ususally rapidly progressive with cough, shortness of breath and occasionally fever. Your cough should be evaluated. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause lung problems that can present as a chronic cough.
