Drug Ingredient Information
METHOTREXATE-2.5MG
METHOTREXATE
| Information for
patients
|
| Drug Information |
Methotrexate contain the active ingredient methotrexate. Methotrexate is referred to as a cytotoxic medicine. It is most commonly used to kill cells in tumours.Methotrexate can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually used for patients who have tried other treatments but their illness has not improved. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate is thought to stop or reduce inflammation by altering the body’s defences.Methotrexate can also be used to treat severe, uncontrolled psoriasis. It is usually used for patients who have tried other treatments but their condition has not improved. Methotrexate helps patients with psoriasis by killing the cells in the skin, which are growing too quickly. It is these fast growing cells, which cause the raised patches of skin in psoriasis. Methotrexate is used to treat a wide range of tumours, in particular
:acute leukaemias,
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
soft tissue and bone sarcomas,
solid tumours like breast, lung, head and neck, bladder, cervical, ovarian and testicular cancer.
Methotrexate can be given alone or in combination with other medicines.
You should consult your doctor if you are unsure why you have been given Methotrexate 2.5mg . |
| Drug Alert |
| Alert |
are allergic (hypersensitive) to methotrexate.
are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding. Methotrexate may harm your baby.You and your partner should avoid conception (becoming pregnant or fathering children) for at least three months after your treatment with methotrexate has stopped.
have severe liver problems, including fibrosis, cirrhosis and recent or active hepatitis.
have severe kidney problems, including conditions requiring kidney dialysis
have any serious blood problems including severe anaemia and clotting problems.
have a medical condition or are receiving medication which lowers your resistance to infection.
are taking antibiotics which prevent the production of folic acid (vitamin B9) such as co-trimoxazole, which are used to treat bacterial infections.
have an active infectious disease (e.g. fever, chills, joint pain). |
| Before Consuming
the Medicine
|
| Avoid Drug |
are allergic (hypersensitive) to methotrexate.
are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding. Methotrexate may harm your baby.You and your partner should avoid conception (becoming pregnant or fathering children) for at least three months after your treatment with methotrexate has stopped.
have severe liver problems, including fibrosis, cirrhosis and recent or active hepatitis.
have severe kidney problems, including conditions requiring kidney dialysis
have any serious blood problems including severe anaemia and clotting problems.
have a medical condition or are receiving medication which lowers your resistance to infection.
are taking antibiotics which prevent the production of folic acid (vitamin B9) such as co-trimoxazole, which are used to treat bacterial infections.
have an active infectious disease (e.g. fever, chills, joint pain). |
| Drug Special Care |
Medicines are not always suitable for everyone. Tell your doctor before you take Methotrexate if you suffer from or have suffered in the past from any of the following conditions; if you:
have any mild or moderate kidney disease,
have any blood disorders or anaemia,
have diarrhoea,
have gastro-intestinal (digestive) problems,
have or have ever suffered from mental illness,
received or you are receiving radiotherapy (x-ray treatment),
have received any vaccinations recently or you are due to have any, as methotrexate can reduce their effect,
have any symptoms or signs of infection,
have excess fluid, between the lungs and chest wall or abdominal swelling (ascites).
Regular Check–ups
Whilst being treated with this medicine your doctor will want to monitor your progress on a weekly basis until your therapy is stable. Thereafter, you will be monitored every 2 to 3 months, whilst taking the medicine.These checks may include taking blood and urine samples to check your blood cells and to make sure that your liver and kidneys are working properly. It is important that you do not miss any blood tests.There may also be a chest x-ray and a physical examination to check for swelling of your lymph nodes (glands in your neck, armpits and groin). Any unusual swellings should also be reported to your doctor. |
| Drug Drug Interactions |
Some medicines can affect the way Methotrexate works, or Methotrexate can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time. These include:
vaccinations
aspirin, ibuprofen, indometacin (NSAID’s, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which are used for pain or inflammation
antibiotics (used to treat bacterial infections e.g. chloramphenicol, penicillin, sulphonamides, co-trimoxazole, trimethoprim and tetracyclines)
thiazides (a group of diuretics used for the treatment of fluid retention e.g. bendroflumethiazide)
hypoglycaemics (used for lowering blood sugar levels e.g. metformin)
p-aminobenzoic acid, acitretin (used to treat psoriasis or skin disorders)
diphenylhydantoins, phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)
probenicid, sulfinapyrazone (used to treat gout)
vitamin preparations containing folic acid or similar products
nitrous oxide (a gas used in general anaesthesia)
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. |
| Drug Pregnancy Interaction |
If you think you might be pregnant, or are planning to get pregnant, tell your doctor before you take Methotrexate .Methotrexate can cause birth defects, harm unborn babies or cause miscarriages and so it is very important that it is not given to pregnant patients or patients planning to become pregnant. It may also affect women’s periods; they may become less frequent or stop completely. Methotrexate can affect sperm and egg production with the potential to cause birth defects. You and your partner should avoid conception (becoming pregnant or fathering children) for at least three months after your treatment with methotrexate has stopped. You should not take Methotrexate if you are breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. |
| Drug Breast feeding Interaction |
If you think you might be pregnant, or are planning to get pregnant, tell your doctor before you take Methotrexate .Methotrexate can cause birth defects, harm unborn babies or cause miscarriages and so it is very important that it is not given to pregnant patients or patients planning to become pregnant. It may also affect women’s periods; they may become less frequent or stop completely. Methotrexate can affect sperm and egg production with the potential to cause birth defects. You and your partner should avoid conception (becoming pregnant or fathering children) for at least three months after your treatment with methotrexate has stopped. You should not take Methotrexate if you are breast-feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. |
| Drug Machinery Interaction |
Methotrexate may cause some side effects which could affect your ability to drive or use machinery for example drowsiness, loss of co-ordination or blurred vision. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or use any tools or machinery. |
| Drug More Information |
Alcohol should be avoided while receiving methotrexate. |
| How to take the
Medicine
|
| Consumption Info |
|
| Drug quanitty |
Adults
You will usually take your once a week on the same day each week or three divided oral doses of 2.5mg at 12-hour intervals each week. The dose will normally be between 7.5 and 20mg. However, this may be changed depending upon your response to treatment.
Elderly
Elderly patients may need smaller doses of methotrexate.
Children
Not recommended for use in children.
Dosage for psoriasis:
Adults
For severe psoriasis, the usual dose is 10 to 25mg by mouth, once weekly. This should be adjusted according to your response to treatment and side effects.
Elderly
No dosage adjustment required.
Children:
Not recommended for use in children.
Dosage for treatment of cancer:
Adults, the Elderly and Children
Your doctor should give you a test dose of 5 to10mg by injection one week before starting treatment.The doctor will calculate the dosage required from your body surface area (m2), and the dose expressed as mg/m2.Methotrexate are usually given as single doses, not exceeding 30mg/m2, for up to five days. A rest period of at least two weeks is advised between treatments, to allow recovery from any side effects.Doses in excess of 100mg are usually given by injection by your doctor or physician.Doses of more than 70mg/m2 should not be administered without leucovorin rescue (folinic acid rescue) or blood levels of methotrexate being checked 24 to 48 hours after taking your medicine.These doses may be reduced if you are receiving other medication. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you, if you want more information you should ask your doctor. |
| Drug Dose |
Always take Methotrexate exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. |
| Excess Drug Consumption |
If you accidentally take too many Methotrexate contact your doctor at once or go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Always take the labelled medicine package with you, whether there are any Methotrexate left or not. |
| Forgot Drug Consumption |
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if this is within two days. However, if you have missed a dose by more than two days, please contact your doctor for advice. |
| Stop Drug Consumption |
Do not stop taking Methotrexate unless your doctor tells you to. Should you need to stop taking Methotrexate , your doctor will have decided which is the best method for you. |
| Possible Side
Effects
|
| General Information |
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine. Although they are very rare, these symptoms can be serious.
Severe skin rash that causes blistering, (this can affect the mouth and tongue). These may be signs of a condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Your doctor will stop your treatment in these cases.
Persistent cough, pain or difficulty breathing or become breathless; methotrexate can cause inflammation of the lungs.
Skin rash and fever with swollen glands, particularly in the first two months of treatment, as these may be signs of a hypersensitivity reaction.
Sore, throat, fever, chills or achiness; methotrexate can make you more likely to catch infections.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction) – although very rare you may experience a sudden itchy skin rash (hives), swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat (which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing), wheeze, and you may feel you are going to faint. If this happens you should seek medical attention immediately. |
| Common Drug Side Effects |
Drowsiness
Convulsions
Loss of coordination
Confusion
Liver damage (seen as yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye)
Kidney damage
Low levels of white and red blood cells and cells that clot blood
Infection, reduced resistance to infection
Abnormal red blood cell function
May encourage the development of diabetes
Inability to move
Inability to move in one half of the body
Dizziness
Headaches, Blurred vision
Loss of ability to speak or understand speech
Slow thought process
Mood alteration
Black or tarry stools
Skin ulcers and erosions of inflamed areas, in psoriasis patients
Damaged skin becomes inflamed on re-exposure to radiation and sunlight
Reduced ability to become pregnant and reduced ability to father children
Blood in the urine
Raised liver enzymes
Weakening or softening of bones
Unusual sensations in the head
Anorexia (eating disorders)
Loss of interest in, or inability to have sex
Stomach pains and soreness of the mouth, throat and lips
Inflamed blood vessels
Feeling sick, being sick and/or diarrhoea
Irritation or swelling of the vaginal tissues
Vaginal ulcers
Pain or difficulty in passing urine
The need to pass urine more often than usual
Joint and muscle pain
Chills and fever
Changes in skin colouration
Hair loss
Red spots on the skin, skin lesions, acne, boils
Flaking skin, redness
Itchiness and rash
Sensitivity to light
Eye irritation
Tiredness
General feeling of illness
Other metabolic changes
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. |
| Rare Drug Side Effects |
|
| Very Rare Drug Side Effects |
|
| Drug Side Effects Symptoms |
|
| How to Store the
Medicine
|
| How to Store the Medicine |
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Methotrexate after the expiry date which is stamped on the carton and label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. |
|
Substitute Drugs
|
Sign In
Create New Account