Injexate
Injexate is a medicine that helps reduce inflammation, slows down the immune system, and stops the growth of certain fast-growing cells, used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease.
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty injektori
Strength
17.5 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Manufacturer
Accord Healthcare B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you, usually once a week.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection), typically by a healthcare professional, but you might learn to inject it yourself after proper training.
Important
The maximum dose is determined by your doctor and must not be exceeded; it is given only once a week. Taking too much can be life-threatening.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation of the mouth lining
- •Digestive problems
- •Nausea
- •Loss of appetite
- •Stomach pain
- •Abnormal liver function test results
- •Mouth sores
- •Diarrhea
- •Rash
- •Skin redness
- •Itching
- •Headache
- •Tiredness
- •Drowsiness
- •Reduced production of blood cells (white, red, and/or platelets)
RARE
- •Throat inflammation
- •Gut inflammation
- •Vomiting
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- •Black or tarry stools
- •Gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding
- •Sunburn-like reactions due to increased sensitivity to sunlight
- •Hair loss
- •Increased rheumatoid nodules
- •Skin ulcers
- •Shingles
- •Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
- •Herpes-like rash
- •Hives
- •Adult-onset diabetes
- •Dizziness
- •Confusion
- •Depression
- •Decreased serum albumin
- •Decrease in all blood cells and platelets
- •Bladder or vaginal inflammation and ulcers
- •Impaired kidney function
- •Urination problems
- •Joint pain
- •Muscle pain
- •Reduced bone mass
- •Gum inflammation
- •Increased skin pigmentation
- •Acne
- •Blue spots on skin from bleeding (bruising, petechiae)
- •Allergic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
- •Decreased blood antibodies
- •Infection (including reactivation of chronic inactive infection)
- •Conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- •Mood swings
- •Vision problems
- •Inflammation of the heart sac
- •Fluid buildup around the heart
- •Heart compression due to fluid
- •Low blood pressure
- •Scarring in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis)
- •Shortness of breath and asthma
- •Fluid in the lung sac
- •Stress fracture
- •Electrolyte disturbances
- •Fever
- •Impaired wound healing
- •Acute toxic colon enlargement (toxic megacolon)
- •Increased nail pigmentation
- •Nail fold inflammation (acute paronychia)
- •Deep hair follicle infection (boils)
- •Visible widening of small blood vessels
- •Local injection site damage (sterile abscess formation, changes in fat tissue) after injection into muscle or under skin
- •Pain, loss of strength or sensation, numbness or tingling/lower response to stimulation than normal
- •Taste changes (metallic taste)
- •Seizures
- •Paralysis
- •Meningism (symptoms resembling meningitis)
- •Vision loss
- •Non-inflammatory eye disease (retinopathy)
- •Loss of libido
- •Impotence
- •Breast enlargement in men
- •Impaired sperm formation (oligospermia)
- •Menstrual cycle disturbances
- •Vaginal discharge
- •Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphoma)
- •Lymphoproliferative disorders (abnormal overgrowth of white blood cells)
- •Increased number of certain white blood cells
- •Nosebleeds
- •Protein in urine
- •Feeling of weakness
- •Bleeding from the lungs
- •Jaw bone damage (due to overgrowth of white blood cells)
- •Skin redness and peeling
- •Swelling
- •Tissue damage at the injection site
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to methotrexate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have severe liver or kidney disease, or a blood disorder.
- Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol regularly.
- Do not use if you have a serious infection (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV, or other immune deficiency syndrome).
- Do not use if you have mouth ulcers or stomach/intestinal ulcers.
Show 12 more warnings
- Avoid live vaccinations while on this treatment.
- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Report any coughing up blood or spitting blood immediately to your doctor.
- Methotrexate can cause birth defects or miscarriage; women must avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after, men for 3 months after.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you notice new or worsening neurological symptoms like muscle weakness, vision changes, or confusion, as these could be signs of a rare but serious brain infection.
- Your doctor will perform regular check-ups and lab tests to detect potential severe side effects early.
- This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid strong sunlight, sunbeds, and sunlamps without your doctor's advice.
- If you experience diarrhea, tell your doctor, as treatment may need to be stopped.
- Avoid excessive consumption of coffee, caffeine-containing soft drinks, and black tea during treatment.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel tired or drowsy.
- Do not let methotrexate come into contact with your skin or mucous membranes; if it does, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
- Never attempt to inject yourself without proper training from a healthcare professional.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. For the treatment of conditions other than cancer only once weekly. Organtoxic such as kidneys, liver and bone marrow. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Avoid use in severe renal impairment. Consider the numerous potential interactions. Remember blood tests to monitor safety. (updated 6.11.2023)