Common use

Cancer, severe psoriasis, serious skin problems and rheumatoid arthritis are the main diseases which are treated by Rheumatrex. Methotraxate is the basic component of this medication. It helps to reduce joint damage after severe rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors prescribe this drug in several clinical cases: mainly, lupus and psoriatic arthritis.



Dosage and direction

The dosage is defined by a physician according to the following factors:

- medical condition,

- age and weight,

- medication tolerance.

Widespread types of cancer presuppose taking Rheumatrex once a week. Psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis requires taking this drug once a week as a single dose or three doses swallowed every 12 hours. 7.5 mg is a usual weekly dosage of Rheumatrex.



Precautions

Rheumatrex is a powerful drug with significant toxicity. It may be used only after some less toxic medications. All people taking this medicine must be regularly monitored. The medication can cause liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Negative skin reactions and problems with lungs can be observed during treatment.



Contraindications

Unusual blood cell count, active infections, alcoholic liver diseases or some chronic liver diseases, alcoholism, anaemia, pregnancy, allergy, immune-system deficiency, peptic ulcer, liver diseases and ulcerative colitis are the main Methotraxate contraindications.



Possible side effect

Treatment can provoke several side effects which include: vomiting, nausea, pain in stomach, dormancy or dizziness. They usually go away soon but you should refer to a doctor if the undesirable symptoms are severe.

More severe reactions include: mouth sores, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat, fatigue, unusual bleeding, dark or turbid urine, black stools, skin rash, pain in bones and discoloration of cutaneous covering. Sometimes a patient can experience temporary hair loss.



Drug interaction

The medicine under consideration interacts with a number of other drugs. They include: antibiotics, azathioprine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenytoin, probenecid, proton pump inhibitors, retinoids, salicylates, sulfasalazine, sulphonamides and theophylline. You should refer to a specialist for more detailed information. Never swallow Rheumatrex pills if you are treated with the medications listed above without professional consultation and medical monitoring.



Missed dose

In cases when you take the pills every day and have missed a usual dose, skip it and swallow the next presupposed portion. Do not swallow a doubled dose of the medication under consideration. If you are prescribed to take pills once a week and have forgotten to take them you should refer to your physician and follow his or her further recommendations.



Overdose

Rheumatrex overdose has severe negative influence upon human organism. The effects of severe overdose often include: mouth sore, severe nausea, vomiting, bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers, failure of a kidney or shock. Special IV fluids and medications can help you to overcome drug overdose. That is why you should find professional medical help in cases of overdose and other severe negative effects.



Storage

Store Rheumatrex medication in its original package far away from small children and your pets. Moisture and heat can spoil the drug. Room temperature is considered to be the optimal storage condition.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.