Trexan
Trexan is a medicine that slows down the growth of certain cells and calms the immune system, helping to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and some cancers.
Form
tabletti
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate disodium
Manufacturer
Orion Corporation
How to Use
Dosage
Usually 7.5–15 mg once a week for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or psoriatic arthritis.
Method
Take the tablets with a glass of water, while sitting or standing.
Important
Do not take the tablets more often than once a week; daily intake can be life-threatening.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, sore mouth and lips (stomatitis).
- •Elevated liver enzyme levels.
- •Infections.
- •Reduced blood cell formation (decreased white blood cells, red blood cells, and/or platelets).
- •Headache, dizziness, unusual tiredness, drowsiness.
- •Lung inflammation (pneumonia), dry cough.
- •Diarrhea.
- •Rash, skin redness, itchy skin.
- •Hair loss.
RARE
- •Lymph node cancer (lymphoma).
- •Diabetes.
- •Depression, confusion.
- •Seizures, vertigo.
- •Gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.
- •Nosebleeds.
- •Excessive formation of connective tissue in organs (fibrosis).
- •Low serum albumin levels.
- •Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), increased skin pigmentation, slow wound healing, increased rheumatic nodules.
- •Sunburn-like reactions due to increased skin sensitivity to sunlight.
- •Bladder ulcers or inflammation, difficulty urinating.
- •Liver damage.
- •Kidney dysfunction.
- •Joint or muscle pain, bone loss (osteoporosis).
- •Vaginal inflammation and ulcers.
- •Chills.
- •Severe systemic infection (sepsis), shingles (herpes zoster).
- •Megaloblastic anemia (very large red blood cells).
- •Mood changes.
- •Reduced ability to move (weakness on one side of the body).
- •Severe vision problems.
- •Fluid buildup around the heart (pericardial effusion), which can lead to impaired heart function.
- •Low blood pressure, blood clot.
- •Severe respiratory muscle weakness, shortness of breath, laryngitis, asthma.
- •Pancreatitis, gum inflammation.
- •Liver inflammation (acute hepatitis).
- •Skin problems (acne, skin discoloration, hives, skin ulcers, nail detachment or darkening).
- •Stress fractures.
- •Reduced or absent urine production, electrolyte imbalances.
- •Menstrual disorders, impotence.
- •Immunodeficiency, increased susceptibility to infections.
- •Lymphoproliferative disorders (overgrowth of white blood cells).
- •Insomnia.
- •Brain swelling, speech difficulties, irritability, drowsiness, brain fog, unusual head sensations, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, metallic taste.
- •Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis), vision impairment, retinal damage.
- •Blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), vomiting blood.
- •Reactivation of chronic liver inflammation, liver failure.
- •Colon enlargement and associated inflammation/infection.
- •Nail fold inflammation, deep hair follicle infection (furunculosis), bruises, acne.
- •Protein or blood in urine, painful urination, bladder inflammation.
- •Low sperm count, male breast enlargement, vaginal bleeding, decreased sexual desire.
- •Fever.
- •Blood poisoning (sepsis), which can be fatal.
- •Abnormally low number of blood cells.
- •Bleeding from the lungs.
- •Jaw bone damage (due to overgrowth of white blood cells).
- •Brain disease, abnormal changes in the brain's white matter (leukoencephalopathy).
- •Inflammation of lung air sacs (alveolitis).
- •Physical weakness.
- •Increased risk of toxic reactions during radiation therapy.
- •Skin redness and peeling, swelling.
- •Worsening of psoriasis when exposed to UV light.
- •Recurrence of radiation skin reactions or sunburns during Trexan treatment.
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to methotrexate or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding (unless for cancer treatment as directed by a doctor). Women should avoid pregnancy for 6 months after treatment, and men should avoid conceiving for 3 months after treatment.
- Do not take if you have severe liver or kidney disease, bone marrow disease, serious blood disorder, severe infection, or a weakened immune system.
- Do not take if you have ulcers or inflammation in your mouth or digestive tract.
- Do not take if you suffer from alcoholism.
Show 4 more warnings
- Avoid live vaccines during or shortly after Trexan treatment.
- Take this medicine only once a week. Too high a dose can be deadly.
- If you notice new or worsening neurological symptoms, such as muscle weakness, vision problems, or changes in thinking, contact your doctor immediately.
- If you experience tiredness or dizziness, do not drive or operate machinery.
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)