Show Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Dr. Zashin explains some of the possible root causes of swollen glands:
RELATED: Can Drinking Tea Help Rheumatoid Arthritis? Treatment of swollen lymph nodes varies widely, depending on the cause. If you alert your doctor about your symptoms right away, you can work together to figure out next steps. You might be prescribed antibiotics, advised to watch your condition and wait to see if it gets worse, or be called into the office for a biopsy. Whether the cause is serious or not, your doctor can help steer you in the right direction and get you feeling your best again. Highlights for methotrexate
Methotrexate is a prescription drug. It comes in four forms: injectable IV solution, self-injectable solution, oral tablet, and oral solution. The injectable IV solution will be injected into your vein by a healthcare provider. You won’t give this drug to yourself. Methotrexate injectable IV solution is only available as a generic drug. It doesn’t have a brand-name version. Methotrexate may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. Why it’s usedMethotrexate injectable IV solution is used to treat certain cancers and psoriasis. It’s also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). You should only take this drug if you have life-threatening cancer or disabling psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis that hasn’t responded to other treatment. How it worksMethotrexate belongs to a class of drugs called antimetabolites. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Methotrexate works differently to treat each condition:
Methotrexate injectable IV solution may cause drowsiness. It can also cause other side effects. More common side effectsThe more common side effects of methotrexate can include:
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Serious side effectsCall your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Methotrexate injectable IV solution can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Your healthcare provider will look out for interactions with your current medications. Always be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, or vitamins you’re taking. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. This drug comes with several warnings. Allergy warningMethotrexate can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death). Alcohol interaction warningYou shouldn’t drink alcohol while you’re taking this drug. Drinking alcohol raises your risk of liver side effects from methotrexate. Warnings for people with certain health conditionsFor people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this drug if you have a history of liver problems or alcohol-related liver issues. This medication can make your liver function worse. For people with a weakened immune system: You shouldn’t take this drug. This medication can make your condition worse. For people with low blood cell counts: Your doctor will monitor you more closely while you take this medication. This drug can reduce your number of blood cells. If your blood cell counts drop too low, your doctor will stop giving you this drug. For people with kidney disease: This drug can make kidney function worse. It may even cause your kidneys to fail. If you have signs of increased kidney problems, your doctor may decrease your dosage or have you stop taking this drug. For people with ulcers or ulcerative colitis: You shouldn’t use this drug. This medication can make your condition worse. It increases the risk of ulcers of your gastrointestinal tract. For people with fluid around their abdomen or lungs: This drug may stay in your body longer. This can increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor may decrease your dosage or have you stop taking this drug. For people having radiation therapy: This drug can increase your risk of skin and bone problems if you take it while having radiation therapy for cancer. Your doctor will monitor you closely during treatment. If your skin or bone problems get worse, they may have you stop taking this drug For people with psoriasis: If your psoriasis gets worse with ultraviolet (UV) radiation or sunlight, this drug may also cause your psoriasis to get worse. Your doctor will monitor you closely during treatment. If your skin problems get worse, they may have you stop taking this drug. Warnings for other groupsFor pregnant women: Methotrexate is a category X pregnancy drug. That means two things:
Your doctor will likely give you a pregnancy test to make sure you aren’t pregnant before you start this drug. Women shouldn’t become pregnant while taking this drug and for at least one menstrual cycle after stopping treatment. This drug can also affect sperm. Men shouldn’t father a child during treatment with this drug and for at least 3 months after stopping it. Both men and women who take this drug should use effective birth control during treatment. For women who are breastfeeding: Methotrexate passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You should not breastfeed while taking this medication. For seniors: Your kidneys may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Seniors are also more likely to have liver problems and low folic acid levels. These issues can increase your risk of side effects. For children: This drug has only been studied in children for the treatment of cancer and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It hasn’t been established that this drug is safe and effective for use in children to treat psoriasis. Your doctor will determine a dosage that’s right for you based on your individual needs. Your general health may affect your dosage. Tell your doctor about all health conditions you have before your healthcare provider gives you the drug. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Take as directedMethotrexate is used for long-term or short-term treatment. Your length of treatment depends on the condition being treated. Methotrexate comes with risks if you don’t receive it as prescribed. If you stop receiving the drug suddenly or don’t receive it at all:
If you miss doses or don’t receive the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. What to do if you miss a dose: Call your doctor right away if you miss the appointment to receive your scheduled dose. How to tell if the drug is working
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes methotrexate for you. General
TravelTalk to your doctor if you plan to travel. You must receive this drug on a set schedule. You may need to plan your travel around your treatment schedule. Clinical monitoringWhile you’re taking this drug, your doctor will check you for signs of severe side effects, such as tumor lysis syndrome. They may also check the following to make sure the drug isn’t harming your body:
Your dietMake sure you drink enough water and stay hydrated while taking this medication. If you’re dehydrated, this drug could build up in your body and cause more side effects. This may cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and weakness. Prior authorizationMany insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. |