MTX and alchohol (subj. EDITED from Digest Number 375)

[Guest guest]

> I know MTX tries to reguate the immune system by slowly shutting down

> good and bad cells.. But what exactly does it do to the liver, kidney

> that could make it so toxic? How could these 3 little pills be so bad

> for me?

>

> thanks , mike

Basically Mike, I think the reason it affects the liver and kidneys are that

the drug is metabolized ( broken down ) by the liver and excreted by the

kidneys. this is a chemo drug when used in high doses. It kills " bad "

cells as well as good cells. That is why we sometimes get mouth sores or

hair loss. We get the same side effects that chemo patients get, only in

smaller amounts.

Hope this clears it up a little. The MXT can affect the cells in the liver

and kidneys.