Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: METHOTREXATE (meth-o-TREX-ate)
This medicine is an antimetabolite used control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is also used to treat certain types of cancer. This medicine works by interfering with cell growth and by suppressing the immune system. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy such as methotrexate helps to reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor, including lupus and psoriatic arthritis.
WARNING: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING BONE MARROW, BLOOD, LIVER, LUNG, KIDNEY, OR SKIN PROBLEMS. For this reason, this medicine is only used to treat certain patients who have life-threatening cancer or who have severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis that is not relieved by other treatments. CERTAIN MEDICINES AND CONDITIONS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK FOR SIDE EFFECTS. Tell your doctor if you take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (such as ibuprofen, celecoxib), salicylates (such as aspirin), or if you receive radiation therapy. Tell your doctor if you have excess fluid in your stomach or around your lungs or if you have any liver, kidney, lung, blood, bone marrow, stomach, or intestinal problems; immune system problems; or if you develop any new or worsening symptoms. YOUR DOCTOR WILL PERFORM LAB TESTS TO CHECK FOR SIDE EFFECTS while you take this medicine. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments. Talk with your doctor and be sure to understand the risks and benefits of using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR FETAL DEATH. Do not use this medicine to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you are pregnant. TELL YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. DO NOT BECOME PREGNANT WHILE USING THIS MEDICINE. Talk to your doctor about using an effective form of birth control. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine you take. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you also take acitretin. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking azathioprine, etretinate, leflunomide, retinoids, sulfasalazine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen, naproxen), chloramphenicol, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), cyclosporine, dantrolene, hydantoins (such as phenytoin), penicillin antibiotics, phenylbutazone, pristinamycin, probenecid, quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin), salicylates (such as aspirin), sulfonamides (such as sulfamethoxazole), tetracycline, trimethoprim, folic acid, leucovorin, digoxin, cyclosporine, anticoagulants (such as warfarin), or theophylline. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR if you are receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or if you have a history of alcohol abuse, lung problems, immune system problems, nervous system problems (such as seizures), liver problems (such as hepatitis), or blood problems (such as anemia, low white blood cells, low blood platelets). Inform your doctor if you have an active infection, are in very poor health, or if you have any other medical conditions including mouth sores, excess fluid in your stomach or around your lungs, stomach or intestinal ulcers, bowel inflammation (such as ulcerative colitis), a blockage of your stomach or bowel, folic acid deficiency, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have moderate or severe kidney problems. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO TREAT psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have liver problems, an immunodeficiency syndrome (such as AIDS), bone marrow problems, blood problems (such as anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet count), or if you abuse alcohol.
Follow the directions for using this medicine exactly as provided by your doctor. Take this medicine by mouth with or without food. However, you should take it the same way each time in relation to food. It is important to use each dose at the scheduled time. Be sure you understand exactly how much of this medicine to take and how often you should take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. IF NAUSEA, VOMITING, OR LOSS OF APPETITE OCCUR, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS for this medicine to work. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including albumin levels, complete blood counts, and liver, lung, and kidney function may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, DROWSINESS, OR BLURRED VISION. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding or if you notice dark, tarry, or bloody stools. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE to infection. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. DO NOT RECEIVE A LIVE VACCINE (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, salicylates, or any other medicine used to treat pain, fever, swelling, or arthritis. MEN WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE SHOULD ALWAYS USE A CONDOM when having sex with a woman who may become pregnant. Do this for as long as you take this medicine and for 3 months after you stop taking it. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: This medicine may cause birth defects and fetal and newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. Use an effective form of birth control while you are taking this medicine and for at least 1 ovulatory cycle after you stop taking it. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, mild hair loss, nausea, stomach pain or upset, tiredness, and vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor promptly. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience mouth sores. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; calf or leg pain or swelling; change in amount of urine; chest pain; coma; confusion; coughing up blood; dark urine; diarrhea; difficult or painful urination; dry cough; fever, chills, or sore throat; menstrual changes; mental or mood changes; one sided weakness; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; speech changes; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual pain and discoloration of the skin; vision changes or vision loss; yellowing of skin or eyes. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe nausea and vomiting, and bloody stools.
Carry an identification card at all times that says you are taking this medicine. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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