Methotrexate

Methotrexate is the generic form of a drug with the brand names Texall or Rheumatrex Dose Pack. Methotrexate is a medication that inhibits the growth of certain types of cells within the body, and it is typically used to treat patients with some forms of cancer (not bone marrow cancer, though), Rheumatoid Arthritis, and severe psoriasis. Most of the time, Methotrexate is given as a last-resort medication. Its side effects can be severe, and most doctors prefer to exhaust all other medication options before moving on to Methotrexate. For example, Methotrexate and Arava are comparable drugs for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, and usually Arava will be given first. Lipitor and Methotrexate are also often interchangeable and the former is usually given first until the Methotrexate treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis is necessary.

Methotrexate has many serious side effects, including liver problems, thinning of the skin and more. When a patient is being treated for Methotrexate, a liver biopsy may be necessary if any tests come back with unsafe results. This also means that Methotrexate and alcohol should not be mixed, and those with alcoholism are usually not given the medication. Methotrexate side effects not only include damage to the liver, which means constant monitoring during treatment, but can also include hair loss and weight changes. When on Methotrexate, a diet of healthy foods and weight watching may be necessary. One of the most common side effects of Methotrexate is hair loss. Methotrexate and hair loss go hand in hand the majority of the time. The best option for repairing this is to go with natural treatments for Methotrexate hair loss, because mixing Methotrexate and other medications is not recommended.

It is very important that Methotrexate isn’t given until after molar pregnancy, and Methotrexate in late term pregnancy or any other time is extremely dangerous. Fetal harm can be done at any time, and it has even been shown that a man taking Methotrexate can cause birth defects in an unborn child that was conceived while he was on the medication. Men have to wait 90 days after stopping Methotrexate to begin trying to conceive, and women need to wait at least one ovulation cycle before trying. If you experience severe side effects or bothersome side effects while taking Methotrexate, you should contact your doctor. Your doctor and pharmacist will both discuss what you should and should not experience, and if you are taking Methotrexate of the wrong strength, particularly if you overdose, the results can be fatal. This is why it is very important to only take the medication as prescribed and always contact your doctor if you don’t feel well while taking it.