methotrexate sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Antimetabolite and immunosuppressant
Main roles
Controls severe inflammatory disease and treats selected cancers
Monitoring
Regular blood, liver and kidney checks are essential
What is methotrexate sodium used for?
The selected oral tablet is licensed for:
Severe, active rheumatoid arthritis when conventional treatment has been ineffective or not tolerated
Severe psoriasis that has not responded adequately to conventional treatment
Certain cancers, including acute leukaemias, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sarcomas and selected solid tumours
How does methotrexate sodium work?
Methotrexate interferes with folate-dependent processes needed to make DNA and new cells. This restricts rapidly dividing cells and modifies immune activity, reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis; its effects on cell growth also support cancer treatment.
How to take methotrexate sodium
Follow the dispensing label and patient card exactly. Administration differs substantially between inflammatory disease and cancer treatment.
Swallow the selected tablets whole with water; they may be taken before or after food.
Wash hands after handling the tablets.
Keep the patient card and show it to healthcare professionals.
Do not change between tablets, liquid or injections without prescriber instructions.
methotrexate sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort or indigestion
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Tiredness or drowsiness
- Hair thinning or loss
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or severe sore throat suggesting infection or reduced blood cells
- Mouth ulcers, unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Persistent cough, chest pain or breathlessness
- Yellow skin or eyes suggesting liver injury
- Reduced urine or swelling suggesting kidney injury
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread skin reaction
- Facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
methotrexate sodium in pregnancy
Methotrexate must not be used for inflammatory disease during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage and serious fetal harm. Anyone planning pregnancy needs specialist review beforehand; if pregnancy occurs during treatment, contact the prescriber promptly. Exceptional use in cancer or ectopic pregnancy requires specialist management.
methotrexate sodium while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated in the selected tablet’s product information. Ask the specialist team about safe feeding options before treatment or if already breastfeeding.
methotrexate sodium interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Trimethoprim or co-trimoxazole
Avoid concurrent use where possible because combined antifolate effects can cause severe bone-marrow suppression.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen and analgesic aspirin
They can reduce renal elimination and increase kidney injury and methotrexate toxicity.
Penicillin antibiotics, including amoxicillin
They may reduce methotrexate clearance and increase toxicity; monitoring and toxicity counselling may be required.
Common questions about methotrexate sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can methotrexate tablets be taken with food?
Yes. The tablets may be taken before or after food and should be swallowed with water.
Why is folic acid prescribed with methotrexate?
It can reduce adverse effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and effects on healthy cells. Follow the prescriber’s instructions rather than adding folate supplements.
Can ibuprofen be taken with methotrexate?
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before using over-the-counter ibuprofen because NSAIDs can increase kidney injury and methotrexate toxicity.
Which antibiotics are especially important with methotrexate?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.