Instructions for Patients Taking Methrexate ¹
- 1) Take great care when taking methotrexate
- 2) Methotrexate is usually taken only three times per week (NOT daily). Each pill is taken 12 hours apart. Sometimes methotrexate is given as single weekly doses orally or by injection.
- 3) Take only the prescribed ,correct amount of methotrexate at the SAME TIME AND DAY each week.
- 4) Do NOT begin or change the dosage or any medication (including nonprescription medications) unless first approved by your doctor.
- 5) Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking methotrexate
- 6) If you have side effects or any symptoms of dehydration, notify your physician before the next dose.
- 7) If you develop cough, fever, shortness of breath or have any problems with sore throat; infections, including skin infections; or skin or mouth ulcers, STOP METHOTREXATE AND CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
- 8) See your doctor regularly, usually every 4 weeks (more frequently at the beginning of therapy)
- 9) Do not miss your doctor’s appointment or blood tests.
- 10) Notify your doctor IMMEDIATELY if you accidentally take too much of the medication.
¹ Gerald D. Weinstein and Alice. B. Gottleib, Therapy of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis, 2nd Edition (New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2003), p. 132.
Health Information
Download Systemic Medications Booklet from the National Psoriasis Foundation
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