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Methotrexate Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Rheumatrex, Trexall

Methotrexate belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used to treat cancer of the breast, head and neck, lung, blood, bone, and lymph, and tumors in the uterus. Methotrexate is most effective medicines and is used to treat various forms of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. It is also known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Because it not only decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis but also may reduce damage to joints and the risks of long-term disability. Methotrexate can help people who have these problems. But it may cause serious side effects, So it must be used carefully.

Methotrexate Dosage

• Methotrexate comes in 2.5 milligram (mg) tablets. The usual dosage for rheumatoid arthritis disease is 7.5 to 10 mg, or 3 to 4 pills and you should be taken all together once a week.
• Your doctor may be increased dosage 20 to 25 mg a week over time if needed.
• The medication can be given as an injection (which comes as 25 mg per 1 milliliter [ml] or cubic centimeter [cc]) under the skin, like insulin, to reduce side effects or when higher doses are needed.

Uses of Methotrexate

• Methotrexate is used to treat several types of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
• It is used to treat other types of rheumatic diseases such as including psoriatic arthritis, lupus, some forms of childhood arthritis, and vasculitis.

Side Effects of Methotrexate

If you are taking Methotrexate, then discuss the side effects of Methotrexate with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because it may cause serious effects. Side effects of Methotrexate may include:

• general feeling of illness
• chills and fever
• nausea
• dizziness
• decreased resistance to infection
• mouth ulcers
• fatigue
• Abdominal pain and upset

Warnings and precautions before taking Methotrexate:

• If you are using this medicine, then you should not drink alcohol. Because alcohol may increase the chance of liver problems.
• If you are taking any prescription and nonprescription medications such as including azathioprine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as includes aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• If you have kidney or liver disease, ulcers, problems with your immune system, intestinal disease, lung disease, or cancer, then you should tell your doctor and pharmacist about medical conditions.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Methotrexate, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Methotrexate. It may also cause another medical conditions and it may increase the toxic effects. So first consult to your doctor before combining Methotrexate medicine with the following drugs.

• Sulfa drugs such as Bactrim and Gantrisin
• Probenecid
• Retinoid drugs such as Retin-A and Renova
• Phenylbutazone
• Cisplatin (Platinol)
• Penicillins
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Overdose

After taking Methotrexate, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Methotrexate overdose may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• bleeding in the stomach
• sores in the mouth
• blood and bone marrow problems
• possibly death.