Methotrexate

Generic name: methotrexate (oral) 
The brand name is Trexall Xatmep
The class of drug: Antimetabolites, Antipsoriatics, and Antirheumatics. Other immunosuppressants

How does methotrexate work?

Methotrexate inhibits the growth of specific cells in the body, particularly cells that reproduce rapidly such as cancer cells bone marrow cells and skin cells.

Methotrexate is a treatment for leukemia as well as certain kinds of breast cancer in the skin, head and neck, and uterus. It can also treat lung cancer.

Methotrexate can also be used to combat rheumatoid and severe psoriasis arthritis for adults. It can also be used to treat juvenile active polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis among children.¶

Methotrexate can be prescribed in situations where other medications have not been successful.

Warnings

Methotrexate can cause death or injury to a baby who is not yet born and is not recommended during pregnancy to treat psoriasis or arthritis. Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer in pregnancy. Inform your doctor if are pregnant or planning to be pregnant.

Don’t use this medication for treating psoriasis, or Rheumatoid arthritis when you have low blood cells or an immune system that is weak alcoholism, the chronic disease of your liver, and if are nursing.

You may not need to take methotrexate every day. Some people have passed away after taking methotrexate incorrectly daily. It is essential to take the appropriate dosage for your situation.

Methotrexate may cause fatal or serious adverse effects. Tell your doctor in case you suffer from mouth sores, diarrhea or cough, or breathlessness. upper stomach pain, dark urine nerve insufficiency, confusion seizures, or a skin rash that grows and leads to blistering and peeling.

Before taking this medication, you must consult your physician

Methotrexate should not be used in case you have an allergy to it. It’s possible you won’t be able to take this medication if you suffer from:

• alcoholism, cirrhosis, chronic liver disease
• low blood cell count;
• an insufficient immune system, bone marrow disorders or
• If you are pregnant or nursing.

Methotrexate can be employed to combat cancer in patients who suffer from the diseases that is listed above. Your doctor will determine whether this treatment is suitable for you.

To ensure that this medication is appropriate for you, tell your doctor if previously had:

• liver problems mainly issue with your stomach, and especially (ascites);
• kidney disease;
• issues with the lungs, and especially fluid in the lung (pleural effusion);
• radiation treatments treatment with radiation
• an ulcer in the stomach and ulcerative colitis.

Inform your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. Methotrexate can cause harm or even death to a baby who is not yet born and is not recommended in pregnancy for the treatment of psoriasis or arthritis. However, methotrexate can be utilized to combat cancer in pregnancy.

Methotrexate could cause harm to a baby who is not yet born in the event that the mother or father is taking this medicine.

• If you’re female, you may need to undergo a pregnancy test prior to starting this treatment. Utilize effective birth control methods to stop pregnancy while taking methotrexate, and at least six months following your last dose.
• If you’re male, use effective birth control if you are a partner with sex who is capable of becoming pregnant. Use birth control for a minimum of 3 months following your last dose.
• Contact your physician immediately when you notice a pregnancy in the presence of both the mother and father is taking methotrexate.

The medicine can affect the fertility (ability to bear children) for both genders. It is nevertheless important to use birth control in order to stop pregnancy as methotrexate could harm the baby in the event that there is a pregnancy.

Avoid breastfeeding while taking this medication, and at least a week after the last dose.

Don’t give the medication to an infant without consent from a doctor.

How should I take methotrexate?

It is often used only once per week, which is 2 to four times every week. Some ailments are treated daily for a short period of time then followed by a break that lasts for a week or more before taking the medication again.

It is important to take the correct dosage. A few people have died because of taking methotrexate in the wrong dose daily.

Use methotrexate exactly as was prescribed to you. Follow the directions on the prescription label and go through all the medication guides or instructions on the label.

Take care when measuring liquid medicines. Utilize the dosing syringe that comes with a dose measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).

Methotrexate may be harmful to your organs and could lower blood cell count. It is recommended to undergo regular medical tests and might require a periodic chest X-ray or liver biopsy. The treatment for cancer may be delayed depending on the results.

If you require to be treated with sedation to perform dental work, inform your dentist that you are currently using methotrexate.

Keep methotrexate stored at room temperature far from heat, moisture, and light.

It is possible to keep the Xatmep in a fridge or within the room. Avoid freezing or high temperatures. Discard any unopened Xatmep after 60 days, if kept at ambient temperature.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your physician for advice in case you missed an amount of methotrexate.

How do I react if take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency treatment or contact help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A high dose of methotrexate can cause death.

The symptoms of an overdose can be bruising or unusual bleeding oral sores or vomiting very little or no urine, bloody or tarry stools as well as coughing up blood, or vomit that looks similar to coffee grounds.

What can you do to be aware of to

Do not drink alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your liver.

Don’t receive a “live” vaccine while using methotrexate as you could contract a serious illness. The live vaccines are measles rubella, mumps (MMR) as well as rotavirus, yellow fever, typhoid varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles) and the nasal influenza (influenza) influenza vaccine.

Methotrexate can cause sunburn more quickly. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. Protect yourself with protective clothing and sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) while you’re outdoors.

Methotrexate side effects

See a doctor immediately If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction with methotrexate (hives or breathing problems and swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever and throat soreness burning eyes, pain in your skin and the skin are red or purple that causes blisters as well as peeling).

Methotrexate may cause fatal or serious adverse consequences. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• A sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry, mucusy cough and chest pain. Feeling short of breath.
• fever, chills, swollen lymph glands, night sweats, weight loss;
• the appearance of ulcers or blisters in your mouth, swollen or red gums, trouble swallowing
• vomiting, and diarrhea or blood in your stools or urine;
• skin issues like the appearance of redness, warmth, swelling, or oozing
• Low blood cells such as chills, fever fatigue oral sores, and skin sores easily bruising abnormal bleeding pale skin cold feet and hands sensation of lightheadedness and short-of- of breath.
• kidney issues There is no or little urine or swelling on your ankles and feet;
• liver issues swelling around your middle, on the right side of stomach nausea, pain, and loss of appetite. jaundice, dark urine (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
• nerve issues such as weakness, confusion, and drowsiness, coordination issues experiencing headache, feeling angry stiff neck and vision issues or loss of movement anywhere on your body, seizures or
• indications of tumor cell degeneration weakening, fatigue muscle cramps nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a fast or slow beat, or tingling or tingling in your feet and hands, as well as around your mouth.

Common methotrexate side effects may include:

• fatigue, chills, fever fatigue, feeling unwell;
• low blood cell count;
• mouth sores;
• nausea, stomach pain;
• Tests for abnormally high liver function;
• hair loss;
• burning skin lesions; or
• becoming more sensitive to the light.

This isn’t a complete list of all side effects. others could happen. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs can impact methotrexate?

Inform your doctor about any other medications you take particularly:

• an antibiotic, also known as a sulfa drug;
• Folic acid;
• mercaptopurine;
• theophylline;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) – aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) as well as celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, and meloxicam, and many others;
• stomach acid reducers include esomeprazole and pantoprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole, Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, and more.

Many medications can be incompatible with methotrexate. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications, vitamins, as well as herbal supplements. There are not all interactions mentioned in this article. Discuss with your physician all the medications you are currently taking and any medication you begin or stop taking.