What is Methotrexate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Methotrexate

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. Rasuvo® or Reditrex„¢ is usually given as a shot under the skin of the stomach or thigh.

• This medicine should only be given once a week.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Check the liquid in the Rasuvo® autoinjector. It should be clear and yellow to brown. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

• Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject Rasuvo® or Reditrex„¢ in areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, or has scars or stretch marks.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

• Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

• Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. Rasuvo® or Reditrex„¢ is usually given as a shot under the skin of the stomach or thigh.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Check the liquid in the Rasuvo® autoinjector. It should be clear and yellow to brown. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

• This medicine should only be given once a week.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject Rasuvo® or Reditrex„¢ in areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, scaly, hard, or has scars or stretch marks.

• Injection routeIf you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Methotrexate

Methotrexate contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to methotrexate, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Methotrexate warnings

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You may also need chest x-rays.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

• This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Women should use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 menstrual period after the last dose. Men should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after the last dose.

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone marrow problems (including anemia), lung or breathing problems, diabetes, a weak immune system, any type of infection, stomach ulcers, or a history of alcohol abuse. Tell your doctor if you are also receiving radiation treatment.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Stomach ulcer or perforationLiver problemsBrain or nerve problemsLung problemsKidney problemsSerious skin reactionsIncreased risk of cancer (including lymphoma)Tumor lysis syndrome (electrolyte and metabolic problems that can be life-threatening)

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Methotrexate interactions

• Some medicines can affect how methotrexate works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, mercaptopurine, nitrous oxide, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, probenecid, theophyllineMedicine to treat an infection (including chloramphenicol, penicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Proton pump inhibitor (including esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole)Retinoid medicineSteroid medicineSulfa drugVitamin supplements containing folic acid

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Stomach ulcer or perforationLiver or lung damageSerious skin reactionsHigher risk of lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system)Tumor lysis syndrome (high levels of electrolytes or minerals in your blood)

• This medicine may make you dizzy or tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You may also need chest x-rays.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.