---

---

Generic name: methotrexate (oral) (meth oh TREX ate)

Drug class: Antimetabolites, Antipsoriatics, Antirheumatics, Other immunosuppressants

Uses :-

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.

---

---

Warnings :-

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.

Side effects :-

Methotrexate can cause serious or fatal side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• fever, chills, swollen lymph glands, night sweats, weight loss;
• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
• vomiting, diarrhea, blood in your urine or stools;
• skin changes such as redness, warmth, swelling, or oozing;
• low blood cell counts – fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• kidney problems – little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles;
• liver problems – swelling around your midsection, right-sided upper stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• nerve problems – confusion, weakness, drowsiness, coordination problems, feeling irritable, headache, neck stiffness, vision problems, loss of movement in any part of your body, seizure; or
• signs of tumor cell breakdown – tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, tingling in your hands and feet or around your mouth.

Common methotrexate side effects may include:

• fever, chills, tiredness, not feeling well;
• low blood cell counts;
• mouth sores;
• nausea, stomach pain;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• hair loss;
• burning skin lesions; or
• being more sensitive to light.

---

---