Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); disease modifying antirheumatic drug
Generic and brand names: methotrexate, injection; methotrexate, oral; Rheumatrex Dose Pack; Trexall
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat various types of cancer. It is also used to treat severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis when other less potent medicines are not effective.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your healthcare provider if you drink alcohol on a regular basis. Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have a fever or an infection
Men: This medicine can affect sperm and cause birth defects. Use birth control during treatment and for 3 months after you stop taking this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Do not become pregnant during treatment and for at least one menstrual period after you stop taking the medicine. Also, do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
This is a very strong medicine that can cause serious side effects. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take it exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about how often to take your medicines.
For psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, take this medicine by mouth once a week.
The injection form of this medicine is given by a healthcare provider. Keep all appointments.
If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider for instructions. Do not use double doses.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: pale skin, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, black or bloody stools, coughing blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, decreased urination.
This is a very strong medicine that can cause severe or life-threatening side effects. You need to have lab tests to determine how the medicine is affecting you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin or NSAIDs while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have an illness or infection that causes fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. These problems may increase the side effects of this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (contact your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, severe nausea or vomiting, black or tarry stools, fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, sores in your mouth, chest pain, trouble breathing, dry cough, yellowish skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, unusual weakness or tiredness, swelling in your feet or legs, joint pain, seizures, decreased or trouble with urination, confusion, sudden vision problems; skin rash, redness, peeling, or blisters.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hair loss, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tiredness, headache, blurred vision.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Because of the potent nature of this medicine, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about ALL medicines you are taking.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
