Drug Name: Methotrexate (meth oh trex' ate)
Brand Names: Rheumatrex, Trexall
Generic Name: Methotrexate
Uses: Methotrexate is capable of treating illnesses that has to do with abnormal cell growth, such as cancer of the breast and psoriasis. It is also used as a conservative treatment for active rheumatoid arthritis conditions. This is also an effective medication for other rheumatic diseases, including polymyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Above all, It is also known to induce miscarriage on ectopic pregnancy.
How to use: Treatment with methotrexate is highly individualized. Your doctor will carefully tailor your dosage of in order to avoid serious side effects and possible under - or overdosing. As mostly prescribed by doctors, methotrexate may be taken with or without food. Dosage of methotrexate for rheumatoid cases is given on a weekly basis either by injection or orally. The weekly dosage for a psoriasis patient is usually divided into three doses at an interval of 12 hours each week. This is proven to have a faster effect in relation to the growth cycle of the skin.
Side Effects: There are unpredictable side effects that may occur with the use of methotrexate. It is best to consult your doctor if there is an undesired effect upon using this drug. It was noted that, Methotrexate can lower the number of blood cells in your bone marrow.
Other side effects include cancerous lymphomas, tumor lysis syndrome (electrolyte imbalances), severe skin reactions, infections such as pneumonia, bone and soft tissue damage, and severe damage to your liver, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract (some of which can be fatal).
Severe toxicity can be experienced depending on the dose taken. Mouth sores, stomach upset, thinning or hair brittleness, blistered skin, loss of appetite and low white blood counts are some of the most common side effects when there's severe intake of Methotrexate.
Precautions: A patient will have to undergo chest X-ray, blood tests to find out blood cell counts,liver enzyme levels, and the stability of the kidney before the doctor will recommend methotrexate. Medical tests like x-rays and blood testing will be repeated at a regular interval if symptoms persists.
It is not also advisable for pregnant women to take methotrexate as this maybe toxic to the embryo and may even cause fetal abnormalities and miscarriage. For those couples who are planning to have a baby, they should stop taking methotrexate prior to the planned conception.
Drug Interaction: Patients taking methotrexate should avoid alcohol. Those who are prescribed with liver disease should stop taking alcohol while maintaining methotrexate. This drug can restrain the immune system, so, those with immune deficiency disease should not take this drug. And if there are infections or unusual feeling felt in the body, report immediately to the doctor.
Methotrexate is also said to impair fertility, decrease sperm count and cause mentrual dysfunction. Safety use and effectiveness of this drug to children has not been declared.
Overdose: Most likely,when overdosed, serious damage to the liver, kidneys, bone marrow, lungs, or other parts of the body are affected. Symptoms of over dosage may include lung or breathing problems, mouth ulcers, or diarrhea. It is only through blood tests that overdosage of methotrexate can be depicted. Consult your doctor immediately if you feel discomfort using methotrexate.
Notes: Higher dosage of Methotrexate is only applicable for cancer patients as ordered by the doctor. To avoid, high-dose of this treatment, a drug called leucovorin will help limit the toxic effects.
Missed Dose: If you miss a dose skip it and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Storage: Keep methotrexate in a closed container away from children. Store it at room temperature and keep it away from moisture.Proper disposal of this drug should be done upon the advise of the doctor.
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