Methotrexate

Generic Name: Methotrexate Tablets
Brand Name: Examples include Rheumatrex and Trexall

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Methotrexate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Methotrexate may cause severe and sometimes fatal side effects. These may include bone marrow, blood, liver, lung, kidney, or skin problems. For this reason, Methotrexate 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. Your doctor will perform lab tests to check for side effects while you take Methotrexate. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments. Talk with your doctor and be sure you understand the risks and benefits of using Methotrexate.

Methotrexate may cause birth defects or fetal death. Do not use Methotrexate to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor before you take Methotrexate if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Do not become pregnant while using Methotrexate. Talk to your doctor about using an effective form of birth control.

Certain medicines and conditions may increase your risk for side effects. Tell your doctor if you take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib) or salicylate (eg, aspirin), or if you receive radiation therapy. Tell your doctor if you have excess fluid in your stomach or around your lungs and if you have any liver, kidney, lung, blood, bone marrow, stomach, intestinal, or immune system problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any new or worsening symptoms, including black, tarry stools; dry, nonproductive cough; mouth sores; red, swollen, or blistered skin; severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, sore throat); stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Methotrexate is used for:

Treating certain types of cancer, severe psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis in certain patients. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite. It works to treat cancer and psoriasis by blocking an enzyme needed for cell growth. This helps to slow the growth of cancer cells and abnormal skin cells. Exactly how Methotrexate works to treat rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It reduces symptoms of inflammation (eg, pain, swelling, stiffness) caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Do NOT use Methotrexate if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Methotrexate
• you are treating psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis and you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• you are treating psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis and abuse alcohol or have liver problems, an immunodeficiency syndrome (eg, AIDS), bone marrow problems, or blood problems (eg, anemia, low white blood cell count, low platelet count)
• you have moderate or severe kidney problems
• you are taking acitretin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Methotrexate:

Some medical conditions may interact with Methotrexate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if a ny of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of lung problems, immune system problems, nervous system problems (eg, seizures), liver problems (eg, hepatitis), or blood problems (eg, anemia, low white blood cells, low blood platelets)
• if you have an active infection, severe vomiting or diarrhea, or dehydration
• if you have mouth sores, excess fluid in your stomach or around your lungs, stomach or intestinal ulcers, bowel inflammation (eg, ulcerative colitis), or a blockage of your stomach or bowel
• if you have a folic acid deficiency, are in very poor health, or have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Methotrexate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Acitretin, azathioprine, etretinate, leflunomide, retinoids, or sulfasalazine because the risk of liver problems may be increased
• Chloramphenicol, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), cyclosporine, dantrolene, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib), penicillin antibiotics, phenylbutazone, pristinamycin, probenecid, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), salicylates (eg, aspirin), sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole), tetracycline, or trimethoprim because they may increase the risk of Methotrexate's side effects
• Folic acid or leucovorin because they may decrease Methotrexate's effectiveness
• Digoxin because its effectiveness may be decreased by Methotrexate
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, or theophylline because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Methotrexate