Methotrexate For Noncancerous Conditions (Systemic)

Brand Names : Folex, Folex PFS, Methotrexate LPF, Rheumatrex, amethopterin

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Taking too much may increase the chance of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.

Methotrexate may cause nausea. Even if you begin to feel ill, do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor . Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects. If you begin vomiting, check with your doctor.

If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of methotrexate, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Dosing - The dose of methotrexate will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of methotrexate. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take or doses of injection that you use depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking methotrexate .

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For psoriasis :
    • Adults - 2.5 to 5 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours for three doses once a week, or 10 to 25 mg once a week. Your doctor may increase the dose as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For rheumatoid arthritis:
    • Adult - 2.5 to 5 mg every twelve hours for three doses once a week, or 7.5 mg once a week. Your doctor may increase the dose as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For psoriasis:
    • Adults - To start, 10 mg injected into a muscle or vein once a week. Your doctor may increase the dose as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, do not take the missed dose at all and do not double the next one. Instead, go back to your regular dosing schedule and check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.