Trexan
Trexan is a medicine that slows down fast-growing cells and reduces immune system activity, used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and some types of leukemia.
Form
tabletti
Strength
2.5 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate disodium
Manufacturer
Orion Corporation
How to Use
Dosage
Typically 7.5–15 mg once a week.
Method
Take the tablets by mouth once a week, on the same day each week, with a glass of water while sitting or standing.
Important
Do not take tablets daily; daily dosing can lead to severe poisoning and can even be fatal.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, and mouth sores (soreness in mouth and lips)
- •Elevated liver enzyme levels
- •Infections
- •Reduced blood cell formation, leading to low white and/or red blood cells and/or platelets (leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia)
- •Headache, lightheadedness, unusual tiredness, drowsiness
- •Lung inflammation (pneumonia), dry cough
- •Diarrhea
- •Rash, skin redness, itchy skin, hair loss (alopecia)
RARE
- •Lymph node cancer (lymphoma)
- •Diabetes
- •Depression, confusion
- •Seizures, spinning dizziness (vertigo)
- •Ulcers and bleeding in the digestive tract
- •Nosebleeds
- •Excessive fibrous tissue formation in organs (fibrosis)
- •Decreased serum albumin levels
- •Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) often with rash, increased skin darkening, slow wound healing, increased rheumatic nodules
- •Sunburn-like reactions from increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
- •Bladder ulcers or inflammation, urination problems
- •Liver damage, kidney dysfunction
- •Joint or muscle pain, bone loss (osteoporosis)
- •Vaginal inflammation and ulcers
- •Chills
- •Fatal body-wide infection (sepsis), shingles (herpes zoster)
- •Blood disorder with very large red blood cells (megaloblastic anemia)
- •Mood changes
- •Weakened movement ability (can affect one side of the body)
- •Severe vision problems, fluid buildup around the heart (cardiac tamponade), which is a life-threatening condition
- •Low blood pressure, blood clots
- •Severe breathing muscle weakness, shortness of breath, throat inflammation, asthma
- •Pancreatitis, gum inflammation
- •Acute liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Skin problems like acne, loss of skin color, hives, multi-form redness, burning rash, skin ulcers, red/purple spots from bleeding under the skin, nail detachment, darkening of nails, stress fractures in bones
- •Reduced or no urine production, electrolyte imbalance
- •Menstrual disorders, impotence
- •Immune deficiency (low antibody levels), increased susceptibility to infections
- •Abnormal growth of white blood cells (lymphoproliferative disorders)
- •Insomnia
- •Brain swelling, speech difficulties (dysarthria), irritability, drowsiness, temporary mild mental issues ("brain fog"), unusual head sensations, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, altered taste (metallic taste)
- •Redness and irritation of the eye membrane (conjunctivitis), vision impairment, retinal damage
- •Vomiting blood (related to colon inflammation)
- •Reactivation of chronic liver inflammation, liver failure
- •Colon enlargement with associated inflammation/infection
- •Nail bed inflammation, deep hair follicle infection (boils), bruises, acne
- •Protein or blood in urine, painful urination, bladder inflammation
- •Low sperm count, male breast enlargement, vaginal bleeding, decreased sex drive
- •Fever
Important Warnings
- Take this medicine only once a week. Taking it daily or too often can cause severe poisoning and can be fatal.
- Do not take if you are allergic to methotrexate or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Methotrexate can harm an unborn baby. Women should avoid pregnancy for 6 months after treatment, men for 3 months after treatment.
- Do not take if you have severe liver or kidney disease, bone marrow disease, serious blood disorders, severe infections, or mouth/stomach ulcers. Avoid alcohol.
- If you experience coughing up or spitting blood, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a serious lung issue.
Show 4 more warnings
- If you get severe diarrhea, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor.
- Avoid alcohol, large amounts of coffee, caffeinated drinks, and black tea. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, which can worsen side effects.
- This medicine can cause tiredness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel these symptoms.
- Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Accidental ingestion can be fatal for 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)