Health Center
METHOTREXATE is a type of chemotherapy that is used to treat certain kinds of cancer and other diseases. Methotrexate affects
cells that are rapidly growing such as cancer cells, cells of psoriasis, and cells in your mouth and stomach. Methotrexate is used to
treat many different types of cancers including leukemias, lymphoma, breast cancer, and others. Lower dose of methotrexate
injections may be given to patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Generic methotrexate injection is available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·If you are HIV-positive or have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
·If you frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
·bleeding or blood disorders
·cold sores or previous chickenpox or shingles infection
·gout
·an active infection
·kidney disease, including a history of kidney stones
·liver disease
·lung disease
·recent radiation therapy or sunburn
·stomach or intestinal disease or obstruction
·ulcerative colitis
·an unusual or allergic reaction to methotrexate, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Methotrexate is for injection into a muscle, vein, artery, or the spinal cord. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by
a health care professional. The dose of methotrexate, how often it will be given, and how it will be given may be different depending
upon your disease and other medicines you are taking. If you have questions about the proper dose of your medicine, ask your
prescriber or other health care professional.
It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What other medicines can interact with methotrexate?
·antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
·antibiotics and other medicines for infections
·aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
·leucovorin
·vaccines
·medicines for diabetes
·phenytoin
·probenecid
·pyrimethamine
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including nonprescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks
with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your
health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Side effects will vary depending on the condition for which you are being treated, the dose, how the dose was given, and the length
of time you are taking methotrexate. If you want more information on possible side effects ask your prescriber or health care
professional to discuss this with you.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Uncommon:
·changes in vision
·confusion
·difficulty breathing, a non-productive cough
·difficulty walking
·headache
·redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
·seizures
·skin rash, hives, or itching
·yellow coloring of skin or eyes
More common:
·low blood counts - methotrexate may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at
increased risk for infections and bleeding.
·signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
·signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
·signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
·mouth or throat sores or ulcers
·diarrhea
·vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
·eye irritation
·hair loss
·increased sensitivity to sun and ultraviolet light
·loss of appetite
·nausea
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side
effects of methotrexate can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly. It may take several weeks before
you see an improvement in your rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
Avoid alcohol-containing beverages while taking methotrexate. Methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis may
cause damage to your liver. Your prescriber or health care professional will closely monitor your liver function while you are taking
methotrexate. You may need to have a liver sample (a biopsy) taken before you receive methotrexate and during your therapy for
rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis.
Methotrexate may decrease your body's ability to fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a
fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people
who are sick. Methotrexate may increase your risk to bruise or bleed at higher doses used to treat cancer. Call your prescriber or
health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an
infection and bleed more than usual.
Methotrexate may harm your unborn baby. You should contact your prescriber immediately if you believe or suspect you or your
partner have become pregnant while you are taking methotrexate. Both men and women must use effective birth control
continuously while taking methotrexate. It is recommended that you use 2 reliable forms of contraception together. Men should
continue to use contraception for at least 3 months after stopping methotrexate therapy. Women should continue to use
contraception until after their first normal menstrual cycle after stopping methotrexate therapy.
Call your prescriber or health care professional if you get diarrhea or mouth sores. Do not treat yourself.
Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving methotrexate because you may get an infection or
bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are received methotrexate.
Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking methotrexate.
Methotrexate may cause you to more sensitive to the sun. Also methotrexate may cause a previous sunburn or radiation therapy
reaction to reappear. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun
tanning beds or booths.
Methotrexate injection will be given in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not need to take or store this medicine at home.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you
have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 9/5/00]
This information was obtained from Clinical
Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug
or about any other drug, click here.