Metoject Pen
Metoject PEN is a medicine containing methotrexate used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease by slowing down disease progression.
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty kynä
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Manufacturer
Medac Gesellschaft Für Klinische Spezialpräparate mbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your specific dose. It is given as a single injection once a week.
Method
Metoject PEN is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to give the injection correctly. Do not attempt to self-inject unless you have been properly trained by a healthcare professional.
Important
This medicine should only be taken once a week. Taking more than one injection per week can be dangerous and potentially fatal.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation or sores in the mouth, digestive problems, nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain.
- •Changes in liver function blood test results.
- •Persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, or fever (signs of lung inflammation).
- •Diarrhea.
- •Rash, skin redness, or itching.
- •Headache, fatigue, or drowsiness.
- •Low blood cell counts (white, red, or platelets).
RARE
- •Coughing up blood or spitting blood (signs of lung bleeding). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or liver pain (signs of liver damage, inflammation, or failure). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Severe allergic reactions with rash, itchy red skin, or swelling of hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth, or throat (making it hard to swallow or breathe), or feeling faint. Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Swelling of hands, feet, or ankles; changes in how often you urinate; less urine or no urine at all (signs of kidney damage or failure). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Signs of severe infection like fever, chills, pain, or sore throat (e.g., specific lung infections or blood poisoning). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •One-sided body weakness (like a stroke) or pain, swelling, redness, and unusual warmth in one leg (signs of a blood clot). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Fever, severe weakness, sudden fever with sore throat/mouth pain, or problems urinating (signs of very low white blood cell count or severe bone marrow problems). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Unexpected bleeding (e.g., bleeding gums, blood in urine, vomiting blood, or bruising) (signs of very low platelet count). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Severe headache often with fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or sensitivity to light (signs of brain lining inflammation/meningitis). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Changes in mental state, movement problems, vision problems, or memory problems (signs of rare brain diseases). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Severe skin rash or blistering of the skin (including mouth, eyes, or genitals) (signs of severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell's syndrome). Contact your doctor immediately.
- •Sore throat or inflammation of the intestines.
- •Vomiting, inflammation of the pancreas, black or tarry stools, or bleeding from the stomach or gut.
- •Sunburn-like reactions, increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, increased rheumatoid bumps, skin ulcers, shingles, blood vessel inflammation, herpes-like rash, or hives.
- •New onset of diabetes.
- •Dizziness, confusion, or depression.
- •Decreased blood protein levels (serum albumin).
- •Low counts of all blood cells and platelets.
- •Bladder or vaginal inflammation or ulcers, impaired kidney function, or abnormal urination.
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, or reduced bone mass.
- •Gingivitis (gum inflammation).
- •Increased skin pigmentation, acne, bruises, small red spots on skin due to bleeding, or allergic blood vessel inflammation.
- •Decreased antibody levels in blood.
- •Infection (including flare-up of old chronic infections) or conjunctivitis (red eye).
- •Mood swings or visual disturbances.
- •Heart inflammation, fluid around the heart, or heart compression due to fluid.
- •Low blood pressure.
- •Lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis), shortness of breath, asthma symptoms, or fluid around the lungs.
- •Stress fracture or electrolyte imbalances.
- •Fever or impaired wound healing.
- •Acute toxic megacolon (severe colon enlargement).
- •Nail changes (e.g., increased pigmentation), nail infections, boils, or spider veins (visible small blood vessels).
- •Pain, weakness, numbness or tingling, reduced response to stimuli, metallic taste, seizures, or paralysis.
- •Worsening vision or non-inflammatory eye disease (retinopathy).
- •Changes in sex drive, impotence, male breast enlargement, abnormal sperm production, menstrual disorders, or vaginal bleeding.
- •Enlarged lymph nodes or abnormal white blood cell growth (lymphoproliferative disorders).
- •Increased numbers of certain white blood cells.
- •Nosebleeds or protein in urine.
- •Feeling of weakness or jaw bone damage (due to abnormal white blood cell growth).
- •Tissue damage at the injection site or skin redness and peeling.
- •Swelling (general).
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, kidney, or blood diseases.
- Avoid heavy alcohol consumption.
- Do not use if you have a serious infection (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV) or immune deficiency.
- Do not use if you have mouth ulcers, stomach ulcers, or intestinal ulcers.
Show 9 more warnings
- Do not use if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy within 6 months (women) or planning to father a child within 3 months (men), or breastfeeding. Metoject PEN can cause birth defects or miscarriage.
- Avoid live vaccines during treatment.
- Consult your doctor if you are elderly, frail, have liver problems, are dehydrated, or have diabetes requiring insulin.
- Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds; use protective clothing and high-SPF sunscreen as this medicine increases sun sensitivity.
- Do not take folic acid supplements unless advised by your doctor, as they may reduce the medicine's effect.
- Avoid excessive intake of coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, and black tea.
- Avoid contact with skin or mucous membranes. If contact occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
- If you feel tired or dizzy, do not drive or use machines.
- Keep out of sight and reach of children.
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)