The medicine 'Methotrexate'. Instructions

The drug "Methotrexate" instruction refers to the category of antimetabolites, analogues of pyrimidine. Synonyms: "Zeksat", "Treksan", "Trixil" and others.

The agent "Methotrexate" (tablets) is allowed to be administered both as a mono drug and as part of a complex chemotherapy.

The indications include leukemia myeloblastic and lymphoblastic, myeloleukemia of chronic course in the late stage, lymphosarcoma. As part of complex chemotherapy, the drug "Methotrexate" is recommended for ovarian, lung, and breast cancer.

In higher doses (with the simultaneous administration of calcium filinate ), the drug is prescribed for osteogenic sarcoma, Ewing tumor, uterine choriocarcinoma , sarcoma in soft tissues.

The drug (in the form of injections) is used to relieve the condition in psoriatic skin lesions.

The agent "Methotrexate" for chemical structure (the instruction contains such information) is close to folic acid, while it has the opposite effect. Being antimetabolite-antagonist and having antifolievy effect, the drug slows down the division of cells, the development of actively expanding tissues, bone marrow as well. The drug "Methotrexate" helps slow the growth of malignant neoplasms.

The medicine is prescribed inside.

In the complex treatment of the drug "Methotrexate" the instruction recommends adults 0.03 grams twice a week. For children, the dose per day is 0.02 grams per square centimeter of the body surface.

The duration of therapy is up to two weeks.

An intensive course involves the appointment of an adult dose of 0.02-0.025 grams daily. Duration of treatment - up to five days.

Between the course of medication "Methotrexate" instruction recommends taking breaks for one or two weeks.

Contraindicated drug with immunodeficiency states, liver disease, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia (including hypoplastic and apoplastic), hypersensitivity.

There is insufficient data on the provision of therapeutic courses with the drug "Methotrexate" pregnant and lactating. In this regard, the medicine in the prenatal period and with lactation is not prescribed.

There are side effects of the drug "Methotrexate". The drug can provoke vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, inflammation in the oral mucosa (stomatitis). With prolonged use of the drug "Methotrexate" there are lesions with bleeding in the ulcerative mucosa of the mouth, a decrease in the number of platelets, hair loss, a decrease in the content of hemoglobin in the blood. In some cases, the development of a secondary infection may occur, possibly the occurrence of toxic hepatitis (usually with higher doses), kidney lesions.

To avoid the development of undesirable consequences, the therapeutic course is carried out under the strict supervision of the doctor.

When an overdose is not recorded specific manifestations. Diagnosis of the condition is carried out according to the level of the content of the drug "Methotrexate" in plasma.

special instructions

The agent is not used for pleural effusion, ascites, ulcers, ulcerative colitis, nephropathy or gout.

You should not take the medicine with chicken pox (including those with a recent or after contact with the infected), herpes zoster and other acute infections of an infectious origin.

At the beginning and during the treatment, control of the picture of peripheral blood, kidney and liver activity is necessary.

When the drug is used for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, an expanded blood test is done at least once a month.

In the course of the research, the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of the drug "Methotrexate" were established.