Metoject Pen
Metoject PEN helps to slow down or stop the progression of certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe juvenile arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease.
Form
injektioneste, liuos, esitäytetty kynä
Strength
25 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Manufacturer
Medac Gesellschaft Für Klinische Spezialpräparate mbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose, which is unique to you. It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks to start working.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection under the skin once a week. Your doctor will help you choose a day for your weekly injection.
Important
Take this medicine only once a week. Taking too much can be deadly.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Mouth sores, indigestion, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain.
- •Abnormal liver function test results.
RARE
- •Diarrhea.
- •Rash, red skin, itching.
- •Headache, tiredness, drowsiness.
- •Reduced production of blood cells (white, red, or platelets).
- •Sore throat.
- •Inflammation of the bowels, vomiting, inflammation of the pancreas, black or tarry stools, stomach/bowel ulcers and bleeding.
- •Sunburn-like reactions due to increased sun sensitivity, hair loss, increased rheumatic nodules, skin ulcers, shingles, blood vessel inflammation, herpes-like rash, hives.
- •Onset of diabetes.
- •Dizziness, confusion, depression.
- •Decreased albumin levels in blood.
- •Decrease in all types of blood cells and platelets.
- •Bladder or vaginal inflammation, bladder or vaginal ulcers, reduced kidney function, abnormal urination.
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, reduced bone mass.
- •Gum inflammation.
- •Increased skin pigmentation, acne, blue spots on skin due to bleeding (bruises, small red spots), allergic inflammation of blood vessels.
- •Decreased antibody levels in blood.
- •Infections (including reactivation of inactive chronic infections), eye inflammation (conjunctivitis).
- •Mood swings.
- •Vision problems.
- •Inflammation of the heart sac, fluid build-up around the heart, compression of the heart due to fluid in the sac.
- •Low blood pressure.
- •Scarring of lung tissue (lung fibrosis), shortness of breath, asthma, fluid build-up around the lungs.
- •Stress fracture.
- •Electrolyte imbalances.
- •Fever, poor wound healing.
- •Sudden severe widening of the large intestine (toxic megacolon).
- •Increased nail pigmentation, acute nail bed inflammation, deep hair follicle infection (boils), visible enlargement of small blood vessels.
- •Pain, weakness or numbness/tingling, reduced response to stimulation, changes in taste (metallic taste), seizures, paralysis, meningism (inflammation of brain lining).
- •Decreased vision, non-inflammatory eye disease (retinopathy).
- •Reduced sex drive, impotence, breast enlargement in men, abnormal sperm production (low sperm count), menstrual cycle disorders, vaginal bleeding.
- •Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphoma).
- •Lymphoproliferative disorders (abnormal growth of white blood cells).
- •Increased number of certain types of white blood cells.
- •Nosebleeds.
- •Protein in urine.
- •Feeling of weakness.
- •Jaw bone damage (due to abnormal white blood cell growth).
- •Tissue damage at the injection site.
- •Skin redness and peeling.
- •Swelling.
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to methotrexate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you have liver disease, severe kidney disease, or a blood disorder.
- Do not use if you regularly drink a lot of alcohol.
- Do not use if you have a serious infection like tuberculosis, HIV, or other immune system problems.
- Do not use if you have mouth sores, stomach ulcers, or bowel ulcers.
Show 7 more warnings
- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment and for 6 months after. Men should avoid fathering a child during treatment and for 3 months after.
- Do not use if you are receiving live vaccines.
- Talk to your doctor if you are elderly, frail, have liver problems, are dehydrated, or have diabetes and are taking insulin.
- This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Avoid strong sunlight and tanning beds. Protect your skin with clothing and high SPF sunscreen.
- Vitamins containing folic acid can make this medicine less effective. Only take them if your doctor tells you to.
- Avoid alcohol, coffee, caffeinated drinks, and black tea during treatment.
- This medicine can cause tiredness and dizziness, which may affect your ability to drive or use machines. Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel tired or dizzy.
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)