Methotrexate Review
What is Methotrexate?
The function of Methotrexate is to impede the growth of the cells in the body, particularly those that grow rapidly such as skin cells, cells in the bone marrow, and cancer cells.
In general, Methotrexate is used as a treatment for various types of cancer such as cancer of the breast, head, skin, neck, and lungs. Aside from that, Methotrexate can also treat other conditions such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Actually, Methotrexate is only prescribed after other medications failed to provide positive results.
Methotrexate may also have other uses which were not mentioned above.
What you need to know about Methotrexate
Methotrexate can actually cause fatal side effects to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and bone marrow. Methotrexate should not be taken in large doses or at a longer period than what is prescribed. It is important to follow the instructions written on the prescription label. For people who have liver disease especially those that are caused by alcoholism, disorders of the bone marrow and blood cell, or breast-feeding mothers, they are not allowed to take Methotrexate to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. In general, Methotrexate can cause birth defects if taken by a pregnant woman. An effective birth control is advised if taking Methotrexate, whether the patient is a man or a woman. It is also important to inform the physician once the patient or his partner got pregnant during the treatment regimen.
A regular blood testing is required to ensure that there are no harmful side effects that are happening during the treatment. The kidney and liver function tests will also be performed to check if these organs are not harmed during treatment. These tests are important; thus, it is necessary not to miss any scheduled appointments.
Other medications can interact with Methotrexate. If you’re taking other medications like over the counter medications, it would be helpful to inform your physician about it. You should also inform your physician about the herbal supplements, vitamins, and minerals that you are taking. If you are going to take a new medication, consult your physician first before taking it. To keep everything organized, it would be best to have a list of all the medications that you are taking and show it to your physician.
Prior to intake of Methotrexate
If you have an allergy to Methotrexate, you should avoid this medication. Avoid using Methotrexate for treating psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis if you have the following conditions:
* alcoholism or cirrhosis of the liver
* liver disease
* bone marrow disorder
* blood cell disorder such as anemia or leukopenia
* breastfeeding a baby
Methotrexate can be used to treat cancer even if those conditions are present. It is the responsibility of the physician to decide if this treatment is the right choice for you.
Prior to intake of Methotrexate, inform your physician if you have allergies or if you have:
* stomach ulcers
* kidney disease
* receiving radiation treatments
* liver disease
* any type of infection
* lung disease or pneumonia
Methotrexate is classified as FDA pregnancy category X. This means that intake of Methotrexate during pregnancy can cause birth defects. For women who are pregnant, it is not advisable to use Methotrexate as a treatment for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. For women who become pregnant during treatment, it is necessary to inform the physician right away. As much as possible, birth control methods are encouraged in order to prevent pregnancy during the treatment whether you are a man or a woman. Intake of Methotrexate by either of the parents may cause birth defects on the unborn child.
In order to make sure that a woman is not pregnant, the physician will order to have a pregnancy test.
For men who are using Methotrexate, using condoms are necessary in order to prevent pregnancy. Using condoms should be done for the next three months or ninety days after the end of the treatment. On the other hand, women are advised to use an effective birth control method while taking Methotrexate. This should be continued up to one cycle of ovulation after the treatment. Methotrexate should not be given to a child without prior consultation.
Elderly individuals are more likely to develop side effects of Methotrexate.
How to take Methotrexate?
Follow the doctor’s prescription for taking Methotrexate. Never take more than what is prescribed or longer than what the doctor recommends. It is advised to follow the instructions written on the prescription label.
Depending on your condition, use the appropriate dose of Methotrexate. In some cases, Methotrexate is only taken once a week. There are people who have died for taking Methotrexate everyday when their prescription was to take it only once a week. If you have doubts or questions about the dose of your Methotrexate, ask your physician immediately.
Methotrexate comes with instructions on how to safely take it. Carefully read the instructions and make sure that you understand it. If you need clarifications, you may ask the pharmacist or the doctor about it.
Using Methotrexate regularly will give you positive benefits. It is better to have your prescription refilled before you ran out of medications.
Blood tests will be done on a regular basis to ensure that you are not experiencing any harmful side effects. Liver and kidney function tests will also be conducted in order to determine if Methotrexate isn’t damaging these organs. Occasional liver biopsy may also be done. These series of tests are important so it is necessary not to miss any scheduled appointments.
Methotrexate should be stored at room temperature and avoid heat and moisture.
What if a dose was missed?
Immediately contact your physician if you missed a dose.
What will happen if there is an overdose?
Get immediate medical care if there is an overdose because it can be life-threatening. Symptoms of Methotrexate overdose include easy bruising or bleeding, nausea, black or bloody stools, not urinating or urinating less than normal, coughing up blood, vomiting coffee ground like material, pale skin, unusual weakness, and mouth sores.
What to avoid while taking Methotrexate?
Exposure to sunlight and artificial UV rays such as tanning beds and sunlamps should be avoided especially is Methotrexate is used to treat psoriasis. Methotrexate makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight which can worsen the psoriasis. Intake of alcohol should also be avoided during intake of Methotrexate.
Side effects of Methotrexate
It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you are having allergic reactions to Methotrexate. Such reactions include formation of skin hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty of breathing. Immediately stop your intake of Methotrexate and call your physician if you develop any of these serious adverse effects:
* nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the skin
* dry cough, shortness of breath
* pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness
* diarrhea, vomiting, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
* fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
* blood in your urine or stools
* urinating less than normal or not at all
There are also mild side effects which include:
* blurred vision
* nausea, vomiting, upset stomach
* bleeding of your gums
* dizziness, tired feeling
* headache
There may be other side effects of Methotrexate which are not included in this list. If you develop any of these, you should immediately inform your doctor about it.
Are there medications that can cause reactions with Methotrexate?
Prior to intake of Methotrexate you should inform your physician if you are taking any of these medications:
* steroids
* azathioprine
* retinol, tretinoin, isotretinoin
* hydroxychloroquine
* gold treatments such as auranofin (Ridura) or aurothioglucose (Solganol)
* sulfa drugs such as Azulfidine, Bactrim, or Septra
* probenecid (Benemid)
* phenytoin (Dilantin)
* tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap)
* oral diabetes medications such as acetohexamide (Dymelor), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), glimepiride (Amaryl), or tolbutamide (Orinase)
* theophylline (Elixophyllin, Slo-Bid, Theobid, Theo-Dur)
* salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others
* penicillin antibiotic
* NSAIDs
There are other drugs that are not included in the list; thus, before taking Methotrexate, you should inform your physician if you are taking any medications such as over the counter drugs, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. Never start taking a new medication without consulting your physician.
Where to get more information?
You can ask your pharmacist for more information about Methotrexate. Always remember to keep this medication away from children’s reach because this can be fatal. You should also take it as prescribed.
