Methotrexate (IMUTREX) 2.5mg tablet is a derivative of folic acid used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic flares. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg of Methotrexate as the active ingredient.
Drug = Methotrexate
Strength = 2.5 mg
How to take
This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. May be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort. DO NOT take with milk.
This medicine should be taken at the same time daily to avoid missing the dose. Take the exact number of pills as prescribed at the exact duration.
Dosage of Methotrexate (IMUTREX) 2.5mg Tablet
Adult: Burkitt’s lymphoma: 10-25 mg/day for 4-8 days, repeat after 7-10 days.
Choriocarcinoma: 15-30 mg/day for five days, repeat after at least one week for 3-5 courses.
Mycosis fungoides: 2.5-10 mg/day to induce remission.
Rheumatoid arthritis: 7.5 mg once weekly, adjust if needed. Up to 20 mg/week.
Crohn’s disease: 12.5-22.5 mg once weekly for up to 1 year.
Missed Dose of Methotrexate (IMUTREX) 2.5mg Tablet
In cases wherein the medication is missed. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and time the next dose adequately. Resume taking as scheduled by the next day.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose of Methotrexate (IMUTREX) 2.5mg Tablet
If you accidentally took the medication more than the prescribed dose, please seek medical help.
Signs of overdose may include any of the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Alopecia
- Black tarry stools
- Renal failure
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Methotrexate:
- Severe renal or hepatic impairment
- co-existing bone marrow suppression in patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Hematologic abnormalities
- Pregnancy (in patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis)
Side Effects
Methotrexate may have the following side effects:
- Oral lesions
- Diarrhea
- Bone marrow depression
- Hepatotoxicity
- Renal failure
- Skin reactions
- Ocular irritation
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Worsening of blood sugar control
- Arthralgias
- Anaphylaxis
Potentially Fatal:
- Interstitial lung disease
- Leukoencephalopathy
- Paresis
- Demyelination with intrathecal use
- Fetal deaths
Warnings
Do not take Methotrexate with the following medicines:
- Folic acid and its derivatives
Potentially Fatal:
- Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Salicylates
- Probenecid
- Penicillins
- Neomycin
- Paromomycin
- Sulfafurazole
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Co-trimoxazole
- Trimethoprim
- Cisplatin
- Ciclosporin
- Etretinate
- Fluorouracil
- Mercaptopurine
- Serum-valproate concentrations
- Cholestyramine
- Omeprazole
Inform your physician about the medications that you are taking which can be bought over the counter or food supplements.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Methotrexate.
How Does It Work?
Methotrexate is an inhibitor of folic acid that works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA. It irreversibly binds to dihydrofolate reductase and inhibits the formation of decreased folates and synthetase of thymidylates, thus inhibiting the synthesis of purine and thymidylic acid.
Uses
Methotrexate is used to treat the following conditions:
- Burkitt’s lymphoma
- Choriocarcinoma
- Mycosis fungoides
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Psoriasis
- Osteosarcoma
- Breast cancer
- Advanced lymphosarcoma
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Hepatic or renal impairment
- Bone marrow depression
- Elderly
- Neonates
- Ulcerative disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
- Monitor hematological, renal and hepatic function and gastrointestinal toxicity regularly
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid excessive consumption of milk rich foods.
Storage Conditions
- Store tablets at room temperature (15-25°C) and protected from light.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Methotrexate after the date indicated in the bottom of the package
