Methotrexate

Methotrexate interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body, especially cells that reproduce quickly, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells. Methotrexate is used to treat leukemia and certain types of cancer of the breast, skin, head and neck, lung, or uterus. Methotrexate is also used to treat severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It is also used to treat active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children. Methotrexate is sometimes given when other medicines have not been effective.

Methotrexate interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body, especially cells that reproduce quickly, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells. Methotrexate is used to treat leukemia and certain types of cancer of the breast, skin, head and neck, lung, or uterus. Methotrexate is also used to treat severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It is also used to treat active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children. Methotrexate is sometimes given when other medicines have not been effective.

You should not use methotrexate if you are allergic to it. You may not be able to take this medicine if you have: alcoholism, cirrhosis , or chronic liver disease; low blood cell counts; a weak immune system or bone marrow disorder; or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer in people who have a condition listed above. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver problems, especially fluid in your stomach ( ascites ); kidney disease; lung problems, especially fluid in the lungs ( pleural effusion ); radiation treatments; or a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis . Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Methotrexate may cause injury or death to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy to treat arthritis or psoriasis. However, methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer during pregnancy. Methotrexate can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine. If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using methotrexate and for at least 6 months after your last dose. If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using methotrexate. This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because methotrexate may harm the baby if a pregnancy does occur. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose. Do not give this medicine to a child without the advice of a doctor.

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Methotrexate, which give rise to further complications include Hepatotoxicity, Coma, Seizures, Neurotoxicity Elevated hepatic enzymes, Chemical arachnoiditis, Motor paralysis of extremities, Cranial nerve palsy, Dementia, Nuchal rigidity. Methotrexate produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Myelosuppression, Nephrotoxicity, GI mucositis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Methotrexate therapy. The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Methotrexate include Myelosuppression, Motor paralysis of extremities. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Methotrexate are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting, Fever, Erythema, Cough, Ocular irritation, Desquamation, Pneumonitis, Vasculitis, Pleuritis, Interstitial pulmonary infiltrates

Methotrexate may cause injury or death to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy to treat arthritis or psoriasis. Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you have low blood cell counts, a weak immune system, alcoholism or chronic liver disease, or if you are breastfeeding. YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE METHOTREXATE EVERY DAY. Some people have died after incorrectly taking methotrexate every day. You must use the correct dose for your condition. Methotrexate can cause serious or fatal side effects. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea , mouth sores, cough, shortness of breath, upper stomach pain, dark urine, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, confusion, seizure, or skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Methotrexate may cause injury or death to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy to treat arthritis or psoriasis. Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you have low blood cell counts, a weak immune system, alcoholism or chronic liver disease, or if you are breastfeeding. YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE METHOTREXATE EVERY DAY. Some people have died after incorrectly taking methotrexate every day. You must use the correct dose for your condition. Methotrexate can cause serious or fatal side effects. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea , mouth sores, cough, shortness of breath, upper stomach pain, dark urine, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, confusion, seizure, or skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

12 mg/sq.meter (22 (22)) As recommended. Intra Thecal — Once a week 15 to 30 mg (22 (22.5)) 24 hourly PO,IM — For 5 days in prophylaxis of choriocarcinoma. 2.5 mg (2.5 (2.5)) 24 hourly PO — In leukemia. Scraped Dose — YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE METHOTREXATE EVERY DAY. This medicine is sometimes taken only once per week, or 2 to 4 times per week. Some conditions are treated daily for just a few days followed by a rest period of 1 week or longer before taking the medicine again. You must use the correct dose. Some people have died after incorrectly taking methotrexate every day. Take methotrexate exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Methotrexate can be toxic to your organs, and may lower your blood cell counts. You will need frequent medical tests, and you may need an occasional liver biopsy or chest X-ray. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results. If you need to be sedated for dental work, tell your dentist you currently use methotrexate. Store methotrexate at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. You may store Xatmep in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Avoid freezing or high heat. Throw away any unused Xatmep after 60 days if kept at room temperature.

1200 mg/sq.meter (2200 (2199)) As recommended. IV Infusion — Maintenance, Over 24 Hours 200 mg/sq.meter (370 (367)) As recommended. Intra Venous — For Induction 5 to 15 mg/sq.meter (10 (10)) As recommended. Intra Muscular — Per Week for Rheum. Arthritis 5 to 15 mg/sq.meter (10 (10)) As recommended. Oral — Per Week for Rheum. Arthritis

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: an antibiotic or sulfa drug; folic acid ; mercaptopurine ; theophylline ; NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin , ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin ), naproxen ( Aleve ), celecoxib , diclofenac , indomethacin , meloxicam , and others; stomach acid reducers - esomeprazole , lansoprazole , omeprazole , pantoprazole , Nexium , Prilosec , Protonix , and others. Many drugs can interact with methotrexate. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Tab, Inj Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight.