cost of methotrexate
(meth oh TREX ate)
Dose Pack, Trexall
What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate?
• Methotrexate should only be administered under the supervision of a qualifiedhealthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication cost of methotrexate.
• Methotrexate may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening cost of methotrexate. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using methotrexate beforestarting treatment cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate has been reported to cause blood and bone marrowproblems (fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloodyor tarry stools,); lung problems (unexplained shortness of breath, coughing,or wheezing); stomach problems (diarrhea, abdominal pain, sores in or aroundthe mouth); liver problems (yellow skin or eyes, unusual fatigue); kidney problems(blood in the urine; darkened urine, swelling of the feet or legs); and others cost of methotrexate. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms cost of methotrexate.
• Do not take methotrexate if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate is in the FDA pregnancy category X cost of methotrexate. This meansthat it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate canaffect a baby both when a woman is treated and when a man is treated cost of methotrexate. If thewoman is being treated with methotrexate, pregnancy must be avoided during treatmentand for one ovulatory cycle following treatment cost of methotrexate. If the man is being treatedwith methotrexate, pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 3 monthsfollowing treatment cost of methotrexate.
• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis,Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and others except under the directionof your doctor cost of methotrexate. Although these medications may be prescribed together to treatcertain conditions, methotrexate may interact with aspirin and NSAIDs, and possiblycause serious side effects cost of methotrexate. Discuss the use of aspirin and NSAIDs with yourdoctor cost of methotrexate.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking methotrexate cost of methotrexate.
What is methotrexate?
• Methotrexate interferes with the production and maintenance of DNA, whichis the genetic material in the cells of the body cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate has a greatereffect on cells that reproduce often such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells,skin cells, and others cost of methotrexate. This is how methotrexate works in the treatment of cancerand psoriasis cost of methotrexate. It is not known exactly how methotrexate works in the treatmentof rheumatoid arthritis cost of methotrexate.
• Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer, psoriasis, andrheumatoid arthritis cost of methotrexate.
• Methotrexate may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide cost of methotrexate.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methotrexate?
• Before taking methotrexate, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease or a history of liver problems;
· kidney disease;
· alcoholism or alcoholic liver disease;
· an immune system disorder;
· blood or bone marrow problems;
· an infection;
· a stomach ulcer;
· ulcerative colitis;
· diabetes;
· fluid around the lungs or in the abdomen; or
· asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis,or any other lung disease cost of methotrexate.
• You may not be able to take methotrexate, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditionslisted above cost of methotrexate.
• Do not take methotrexate if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate is in the FDA pregnancy category X cost of methotrexate. This meansthat it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate canaffect a baby both when a woman is treated and when a man is treated cost of methotrexate. If thewoman is being treated with methotrexate, pregnancy must be avoided during treatmentand for one ovulatory cycle following treatment cost of methotrexate. If the man is being treatedwith methotrexate, pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 3 monthsfollowing treatment cost of methotrexate.
• Methotrexate may be harmful to a nursing infant cost of methotrexate. Breast-feeding is notrecommended during treatment with methotrexate cost of methotrexate.
How should I take methotrexate?
• Methotrexate should only be administered under the supervision of a qualifiedhealthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication cost of methotrexate.
• Take oral methotrexate exactly as directed by your doctor cost of methotrexate. If you donot understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor toexplain them to you cost of methotrexate.
• Take each oral dose with a full glass of water cost of methotrexate.
• Methotrexate is also available as an injection cost of methotrexate. If you are using injectablemethotrexate at home, your doctor will give you detailed instructions regardingpreparation, administration, and storage of the medication cost of methotrexate.
• Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed cost of methotrexate. Too much methotrexatecan be dangerous, possibly resulting in death cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate is used to treatdifferent medical conditions, each with a different dosing regimen cost of methotrexate. Follow yourdoctor's instructions cost of methotrexate.
• It is important to take methotrexate regularly to get the most benefit cost of methotrexate.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with methotrexate to monitor progress and side effects cost of methotrexate.
• Store methotrexate at room temperature away from moisture and heat cost of methotrexate.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of methotrexate cost of methotrexate.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected cost of methotrexate.
• Symptoms of a methotrexate overdose may include nausea, vomiting, bleedingin the stomach, sores in the mouth, blood and bone marrow problems, and possiblydeath cost of methotrexate.
What should I avoid while taking methotrexate?
• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis,Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and others except under the directionof your doctor cost of methotrexate. Although these medications may be prescribed together to treatcertain conditions, methotrexate may interact with aspirin and NSAIDs, and possiblycause serious side effects cost of methotrexate. Discuss the use of aspirin and NSAIDs with yourdoctor cost of methotrexate.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking methotrexate cost of methotrexate.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate may increase the sensitivityof the skin to sunlight cost of methotrexate. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposureto the sun is unavoidable cost of methotrexate.
What are the possible side effects of methotrexate?
• Methotrexate may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening cost of methotrexate. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using methotrexate beforestarting treatment cost of methotrexate. Methotrexate has been reported to cause blood and bone marrowproblems (fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloodyor tarry stools,); lung problems (unexplained shortness of breath, coughing,or wheezing); stomach problems (diarrhea, abdominal pain); sores in or aroundthe mouth; liver problems (yellow skin or eyes, unusual fatigue); kidney problems(blood in the urine; darkened urine, swelling of the feet or legs); and others cost of methotrexate. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms cost of methotrexate.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergencymedical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; difficultybreathing; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· joint pain; or
· confusion, unusual behavior, or seizures cost of methotrexate.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur cost of methotrexate. Continueto take methotrexate and notify your doctor if you experience
· nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
· itching or a skin rash;
· hair loss;
· boils or acne;
· dizziness;
· increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight;
· headache;
· drowsiness; or
· blurred vision cost of methotrexate.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur cost of methotrexate. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome cost of methotrexate.
What other drugs will affect methotrexate?
• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis,Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and others except under the directionof your doctor cost of methotrexate. Although these medications may be prescribed together to treatcertain conditions, methotrexate may interact with aspirin and NSAIDs, and possiblycause serious side effects cost of methotrexate.
• Before taking methotrexate, tell your doctor if you are taking any ofthe following medicines:
· etretinate (Tegison);
· acitretin (Soriatane);
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin,others);
· phenytoin (Dilantin);
· probenecid (Benemid);
· procarbazine (Matulane);
· folic acid or a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid;
· a penicillin antibiotic such as ampicillin (Principen, others), amoxicillin(Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin, others), dicloxacillin (Dynapen, others), penicillin(Pen-Vee-K, Veetids, others), and others;
· a tetracycline antibiotic such as minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, others),doxycycline (Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs, others), tetracycline (Sumycin, others),and others; or
· a sulfa-based medicine such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim,Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and others cost of methotrexate.
• You may not be able to take methotrexate, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listedabove cost of methotrexate.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with methotrexate cost of methotrexate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products cost of methotrexate.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about methotrexate writtenfor health professionals that you may read cost of methotrexate.
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