Injexate
This medication contains methotrexate, which slows down fast-growing cells, reduces immune system activity, and fights inflammation, used for conditions like severe arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease.
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty injektori
Strength
27.5 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Manufacturer
Accord Healthcare B.V.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your specific dose; it usually takes 4-8 weeks to see an effect.
Method
This medication is given as an injection under the skin, usually by a doctor or nurse. You may learn to inject it yourself.
Important
This medicine must only be taken once a week. Taking too much can be deadly.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation of mouth lining, stomach upset, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain.
- •Skin rash, red skin, itching.
- •Headache, tiredness, drowsiness.
- •Abnormal liver test results.
- •Lower numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets.
- •Mouth sores, diarrhea.
- •Persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever (signs of lung inflammation).
RARE
- •Severe allergic reactions, including widespread rash, swelling (face, lips, throat, hands, feet, ankles), or fainting.
- •Signs of liver damage, such as yellow skin or eyes, or other serious liver problems (cirrhosis, fibrosis, fatty liver, hepatitis, liver failure).
- •Signs of kidney damage, such as swelling in hands/feet/ankles, or changes in how often or how much you urinate.
- •Signs of serious infection like fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, or severe lung infections (pneumonia) or blood infection (sepsis).
- •Bleeding from the lungs (coughing or spitting up blood), or unexpected bleeding like from gums, blood in urine, vomiting blood, or easy bruising.
- •One-sided weakness (like a stroke), pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one leg (deep vein clot).
- •High fever, very poor general health, or sudden fever with sore throat/mouth, or urination problems (signs of severe blood cell reduction).
- •Severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or sensitivity to light (signs of brain lining inflammation).
- •Changes in thinking, memory, or behavior, movement problems, or vision changes (signs of serious brain conditions).
- •Severe skin rashes, blistering, or peeling skin (including in mouth, eyes, or genital area).
- •Swelling of the throat.
- •Inflammation of the intestines, vomiting, inflammation of the pancreas, black or tarry stools, stomach or bowel ulcers and bleeding.
- •Skin reactions like severe sunburn, hair loss, new or worsening rheumatoid bumps, skin ulcers, shingles, inflamed blood vessels, or hives.
- •Onset of adult diabetes.
- •Dizziness, confusion, depression.
- •Low protein levels in blood.
- •Overall reduction of all blood cells and platelets.
- •Inflammation or ulcers in bladder or vagina, problems with kidney function or urination.
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, reduced bone density.
- •Gum inflammation.
- •Darkening of skin, acne, small red/blue spots under skin from bleeding.
- •Reduced antibodies in blood.
- •Infection (including reactivation of old infections), red eyes (conjunctivitis).
- •Mood changes.
- •Vision problems (not due to inflammation).
- •Inflammation around the heart (pericarditis), fluid buildup around the heart, or pressure on the heart.
- •Low blood pressure.
- •Scarring of the lungs, shortness of breath, asthma-like breathing, or fluid in the lungs.
- •Stress fractures.
- •Electrolyte imbalances.
- •Fever, poor wound healing.
- •Severe widening of the bowel.
- •Darkening of nails, nail bed inflammation, deep skin infections, or visible small blood vessels.
- •Injection site reaction (like sterile pus pockets, changes in fatty tissue).
- •Numbness, tingling, or weakness, changes in taste (metallic).
- •Loss of sex drive, impotence, enlarged male breasts, problems with sperm or menstrual periods, vaginal discharge.
- •Swollen lymph nodes.
- •Abnormal growth of white blood cells.
- •Nosebleeds.
- •Protein in urine.
- •Feeling weak overall.
- •Swelling in general.
- •Tissue damage at the injection site.
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to methotrexate or any of its ingredients, have severe liver, kidney, or blood diseases, drink a lot of alcohol, have a serious infection (like TB or HIV), mouth or stomach ulcers, or are receiving live vaccines.
- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; this medicine can cause birth defects and miscarriage.
- Tell your doctor if you are elderly, frail, have liver problems, are dehydrated, or have diabetes that requires insulin.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you cough up or spit blood, as this could be a serious lung issue.
- Women must avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 6 months after; men must avoid fathering children during treatment and for 3 months after.
Show 8 more warnings
- Seek medical help right away if you notice new or worsening nerve problems like muscle weakness, vision changes, confusion, or personality changes, as these can be signs of a rare but serious brain infection.
- This medicine makes your skin sensitive to sunlight; avoid strong sun and sunbeds, and use sun protection.
- Avoid live vaccines while using this medicine.
- Limit alcohol, coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, and black tea during treatment.
- If you experience diarrhea, tell your doctor immediately, as treatment might need to be stopped.
- This medicine can cause tiredness and dizziness, so do not drive or use machines if you feel this way.
- If the medicine gets on your skin or mucous membranes, rinse with plenty of water immediately.
- If you or someone else is accidentally pricked by the needle, contact a doctor right away and do not use the injector.
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)