RHEUMATREX (METHOTREXATE)

Rheumatrex Description

Rheumatrex may be prescribed to treat a wide variety of cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft tissue and bone cancers, and a number of solid tumors, particularly breast, lung, head and neck, bladder, cervical, ovarian, and testicular cancers.

How This Antimetabolite Interferes with Cancer Cells

This drug interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body, especially cells that reproduce quickly, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells. Rheumatrex is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

When taken as directed, Rheumatrex works by making it harder for your body to make or repair the genetic material in your cells. Cells in your body that grow rapidly react to this effect. When cancer cells grow more than normal cells, Rheumatrex or generic Methotrexate harms the cancer cells. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Rheumatrex

Rheumatrex is used in lower doses taken orally to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis that have not responded to other treatments. Rheumatrex may be prescribed when rheumatoid arthritis does not improve sufficiently with conventional treatment, or for people who cannot tolerate conventional treatments. Rheumatrex is thought to work by suppressing the excessive activity of the immune system that causes the inflammation in this condition, although the exact way it works is not fully understood.

In treating psoriasis, Rheumatrex works by preventing the excessive division and multiplication of skin cells that causes the skin scaling and raised plaques in this condition. It is used when the condition is severe and unresponsive to conventional treatments.

Before Rheumatrex is Prescribed

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding as there may be potential harm to your unborn or nursing baby. Many drugs can interact with Rheumatrex tell your doctor about all medications you currently take or use to determine if Rheumatrex is safe for you to take. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of your medications while taking Rheumatrex without talking to your doctor first.

Rheumatrex Precautions

Drinking alcohol raises your risk of liver side effects from Rheumatrex so avoid alcohol while you’re taking this medication. In low doses Methotrexate can also affect the division of normal, healthy cells, and it has the potential to produce serious side effects. For this reason, treatment with Rheumatrex may be started by hospital specialists and regular blood tests are needed to monitor for potential side effects.

Possible Side Effects of Rheumatrex

• Chills
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Increased risk of infection

You should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms, as they could indicate a problem with your blood cells: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers, fever, feeling tired or general illness.