Methotrexate
Also sold as: Folitrax
Prescription neededArthritis and immune medicines
Comes as:TabletInjection
Also sold as: Folitrax
Dose is set by your specialist. For arthritis it is taken ONCE A WEEK (usually 7.5 to 25 mg on the same day each week) — never every day. Folic acid is usually given on another day. Regular blood tests are needed.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
Medicines that can react with this one.
Co-trimoxazole with methotrexate can cause severe bone marrow damage; avoid together.
Can raise methotrexate levels and cause serious toxicity.
Both can lower blood cell counts; using them together raises the risk of serious blood problems.
Both block folate; together they can cause serious bone marrow damage.
Can reduce methotrexate clearance and raise its toxicity.
Can reduce methotrexate clearance and raise its toxicity.
Aspirin can raise methotrexate levels and toxicity.
Penicillins can reduce methotrexate clearance and raise its toxicity.
Can raise methotrexate levels, especially with high doses.
NSAIDs can raise methotrexate levels; use only with the doctor agreeing and blood tests.
Can raise methotrexate levels, especially with high doses.
Can raise methotrexate levels, especially with high doses.
Can raise methotrexate levels, especially with high doses.
Penicillins can reduce methotrexate clearance and raise its toxicity.