Question
I have had a really bad cough for the last 2 months . I have had 2 rounds of antibiotic but I am also on MTX and plaquenil . Can this have a big effect on why I can not get rid of this ugly cough?
Answer
There are many causes of a persistent cough and you need a thorough evaluation. Cough can be commonly the result of a viral or bacterial bronchitis, asthma, acid reflux, post nasal drip. Rhuematoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the lung that can result in shortness of breath and chronic cough. Finally in response to your question, methotrexate can rarely cause an allergic response in the lung that results in a chronic cough and shortness of breath.
