How To Use Methotrexate

Patients receiving methotrexate should take the medicine exactly as directed by their healthcare provider. This medication should only be provided by physicians experienced in antimetabolite therapy use. 

Methotrexate comes in a variety of forms: a tablet (Trexall) to be taken orally by mouth, an oral solution (Xatmep) that is swallowed, a liquid solution (Rasuvo, Otrexup, RediTrex) that is given as a subcutaneous injection (auto-injector), or as an injection by intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial or intrathecal route. Measure the liquid medicine using a dose-measuring device or the supplied dosing syringe and not a household spoon. Your doctor will guide you on how frequently you should take methotrexate. The dosing schedule depends on your condition and your body’s response to the medication. 

Your doctor might advise you to take methotrexate once a week if you are taking it for psoriasis or active rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, when methotrexate was taken once daily instead of once weekly by mistake, patients either died or experienced very serious adverse effects. Your doctor may also put you on a rotating schedule with this drug that alternates between many days when you take methotrexate and many days or weeks when you do not take it. Follow these instructions correctly, and you may ask your healthcare provider if you do not understand when to take your medication.

It may take 3 to 6 weeks for your symptoms to start improving if you are receiving methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis and 12 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefits of the medication. Keep taking the medication even if your symptoms are well controlled. Do not discontinue methotrexate without talking to your doctor first.

Follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully and use methotrexate exactly as directed. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than prescribed. 

Your doctor may start you on a lower initial dose and gradually increase to high-dose methotrexate therapy if needed.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of methotrexate, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused methotrexate should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw methotrexate in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded methotrexate is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on methotrexate. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet information purposes only. If you have questions about methotrexate, talk to your doctor for medical advice.

Discounted prices for methotrexate start at $15.93.

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