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Rheumatrex Manufacturer: LEDERLE
Common Uses of Rheumatrex:
This medicine is an antimetabolite used control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is also used to treat certain types of cancer. This medicine works by interfering with cell growth and by suppressing the immune system. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy such as methotrexate helps to reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor, including lupus and psoriatic arthritis.
How To Use Rheumatrex:
Follow the directions for using this medicine exactly as provided by your doctor. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you have about this medicine. This is a potent medicine. The dose and how often you take it is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. There are many different dosing schedules for this medicine (especially for cancer treatment). Therefore, it is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Take it by mouth exactly as directed. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. For managing psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, take this medicine exactly as directed, usually once a week. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. This helps your kidneys to remove the drug from your body and minimize some of the side effects. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. IF NAUSEA, VOMITING, OR LOSS OF APPETITE OCCUR, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from light, and moisture. It is important to use each dose at the scheduled time. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Rheumatrex Cautions:
IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS of continued use for the full benefit of this medicine to be seen in the management of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., CBC, liver and kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Certain antibiotics (e.g., chloramphenicol, sulfa, tetracyclines) may interfere with methotrexate blood tests (increase methotrexate blood levels due to protein-binding displacement). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you are using any of these types of antibiotics. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. To prevent bleeding use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised or injured. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE to infection. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, salicylates, or any other medicine used to treat pain, fever, swelling, or arthritis. FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, use an effective form of birth control during therapy and for up to 3 months after this medicine is stopped. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. It may cause fetal harm. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
Possible Side Effects of Rheumatrex:
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness or dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor promptly. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience any of these serious side effects including mouth sores, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, persistent sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, black stools, skin rash, enlarged glands/lymph nodes, dark urine, bone pain, or unusual pain and discoloration of the skin. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience any of these unlikely but serious side effects including, yellowing of the eyes/skin, change in the amount of urine, chest pain, dry cough, trouble breathing, calf pain/swelling, vision changes, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental changes, or seizures. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist (See also Before Using section).
RHEUMATREX
Generic Version of Rheumatrex: E: METHOTREXATE (meth-o-TREX-ate)Rheumatrex Manufacturer: LEDERLE
Common Uses of Rheumatrex:
This medicine is an antimetabolite used control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is also used to treat certain types of cancer. This medicine works by interfering with cell growth and by suppressing the immune system. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy such as methotrexate helps to reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function. This medicine may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor, including lupus and psoriatic arthritis.
How To Use Rheumatrex:
Follow the directions for using this medicine exactly as provided by your doctor. This medicine may come with a patient information leaflet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions you have about this medicine. This is a potent medicine. The dose and how often you take it is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. There are many different dosing schedules for this medicine (especially for cancer treatment). Therefore, it is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Take it by mouth exactly as directed. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. For managing psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, take this medicine exactly as directed, usually once a week. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. This helps your kidneys to remove the drug from your body and minimize some of the side effects. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. IF NAUSEA, VOMITING, OR LOSS OF APPETITE OCCUR, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from light, and moisture. It is important to use each dose at the scheduled time. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Rheumatrex Cautions:
IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS of continued use for the full benefit of this medicine to be seen in the management of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. Do not stop using this medicine without checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., CBC, liver and kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Certain antibiotics (e.g., chloramphenicol, sulfa, tetracyclines) may interfere with methotrexate blood tests (increase methotrexate blood levels due to protein-binding displacement). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you are using any of these types of antibiotics. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. To prevent bleeding use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised or injured. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE to infection. Wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infections. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, salicylates, or any other medicine used to treat pain, fever, swelling, or arthritis. FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, use an effective form of birth control during therapy and for up to 3 months after this medicine is stopped. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. It may cause fetal harm. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
Possible Side Effects of Rheumatrex:
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness or dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor promptly. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience any of these serious side effects including mouth sores, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, persistent sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, black stools, skin rash, enlarged glands/lymph nodes, dark urine, bone pain, or unusual pain and discoloration of the skin. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience any of these unlikely but serious side effects including, yellowing of the eyes/skin, change in the amount of urine, chest pain, dry cough, trouble breathing, calf pain/swelling, vision changes, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental changes, or seizures. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist (See also Before Using section).
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