Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of meningeal leukemia in adult and pediatric patients.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with osteosarcoma as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with breast cancer as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck as a single-agent.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA).

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe psoriasis.

To decrease the risk of severe adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]:

• Administer leucovorin rescue in patients receiving Methotrexate Injection doses of 500 mg/m 2or greater (e.g., high-dose).

• Consider leucovorin rescue for patients receiving Methotrexate Injection doses between 100 mg/m 2to less than 500 mg/m 2(e.g., intermediate-dose).

Refer to the leucovorin Prescribing Information for additional information.

• For high-dose Methotrexate Injection regimens, follow the supportive care and monitoring instructions below. Also consider for patients receiving intermediate-dose Methotrexate Injection regimens.

Monitor serum creatinine, electrolytes, at baseline and at least daily during therapy

Administer intravenous fluids starting before the first dose and continuing throughout treatment to maintain adequate hydration and urine output

Alkalinize urine starting before the first dose and continuing throughout treatment to maintain a urinary pH of 7 or higher

Monitor methotrexate concentrations at least daily and adjust hydration and leucovorin dosing as needed

• Administer glucarpidase in patients who have toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (>1 micromole per liter) and delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function (refer to the glucarpidase Prescribing Information for additional information)

Methotrexate Injection is used as part of a multi-drug regimen. The recommended dosage varies from 10 to 5000 mg/m 2intravenously. For high dose Methotrexate Injection regimens, use leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] . Lower doses (e.g., 20 to 30 mg/m 2/week) may be used intramuscularly. Individualize the dose and schedule of Methotrexate Injection based on disease state, patient risk category, concurrent drugs used, phase of treatment, and response to treatment.

Use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection for intrathecal use.

Prior to administration, dilute preservative-free Methotrexate Injection to a concentration of 1 mg/mL in preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. The recommended intrathecal dose of Methotrexate Injection (preservative-free) is based on age:

- less than 1 year: 6 mg - 1 to less than 2 years: 8 mg - 2 to less than 3 years: 10 mg - 3 to less than 9 years: 12 mg - greater than or equal to 9 years: 12 to15 mg

For treatment of meningeal leukemia, intrathecal methotrexate may be given at intervals of 2 or more days up to twice weekly; however, administration at intervals of less than 1 week may result in increased subacute toxicity. For meningeal leukemia prophylaxis, Methotrexate Injection is administered no more than once weekly.

For patients with Down Syndrome, administer leucovorin rescue with intrathecal Methotrexate Injection.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection varies. When used in combination, recommended dosages range from 10 mg/m 2to 8000 mg/m 2intravenously. When used as a single agent, recommended dosages include 8,000 mg/m 2intravenously for central nervous system-directed therapy or 5 to 75 mg intravenously for cutaneous forms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

As part of a combination chemotherapy regimen, a recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 1,000 mg/m 2or 3,000 mg/m 2as an intravenous infusion over 24 hours followed by leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] .

For central nervous system-directed therapy, a recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 8,000 mg/m 2as an intravenous infusion over 4 hours as a single agent or in combination with immunochemotherapy at doses ranging from 3,000 mg/m 2to 8,000 mg/m 2followed by leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] .

For intrathecal Methotrexate Injection (preservative-free), the recommended dose is based on age [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4)] . The frequency of administration varies based on whether it is being used for treatment or prophylaxis, and other factors.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is typically 12 g/m 2(maximum 20 g/dose) as an intravenous infusion over 4 hours administered as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen. Administer leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)] . Subsequent doses may need to be adjusted based on observed peak serum methotrexate concentrations. Dosage and schedule may vary based upon factors such as patient comorbidities, disease state, and prior treatments.

A recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 40 mg/m 2intravenously as a component of a cyclophosphamide- and fluorouracil-based multi-drug regimen.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection ranges from 40 to 60 mg/m 2intravenously once weekly.

For patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) a recommended dosage for Methotrexate Injection is 30 mg/m 2to 200 mg/m 2or 0.4 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg intravenously or intramuscularly.

For patients with high-risk GTN, a recommended dosage for Methotrexate Injection is 300 mg/m 2over 12 hours as an intravenous infusion as a component of a multi-drug regimen.

The recommended starting dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 7.5 mg once weekly, administered intramuscularly with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages of more than 20 mg once weekly result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression.

When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12)] .

The recommended starting dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 10 mg/m 2once weekly administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages over 30 mg/m 2per week may result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression. When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12)] .

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 10 mg to 25 mg intramuscularly or intravenously once weekly until adequate response is achieved.

Adjust the dose gradually to achieve optimal clinical response; do not exceed 25 mg per week. Once optimal clinical response has been achieved, reduce the dosage to the lowest possible dosing regimen.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12)] .

Discontinue Methotrexate Injection for:

Withhold, dose reduce or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate for:

Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate for:

Methotrexate Injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposable procedures. 1.

Preservative-free (single-dose vial)

Methotrexate Injection preservative-free may be administered by intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intrathecal injection.

Injection: Methotrexate Injection, USP is a clear, yellow solution and is supplied in single-dose vials (preservative - free) in the following strengths:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Injection: Methotrexate Injection, USP is a clear, yellow solution and is supplied in single-dose vials (preservative - free) in the following strengths:" }

Preservative-free (single-dose vial)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nPreservative-free (single-dose vial)\n" }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "50 mg/ 2 mL (25 mg/mL)", "250 mg/ 10 mL (25 mg/mL)", "1 g/40 mL (25 mg/mL)" ], "text": "" }

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in:" }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "Patients with history of severe hypersensitivity to methotrexate\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.2)]\n \n .\n \n ", "Pregnancy in patients with non-neoplastic diseases\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.1)]\n \n .\n \n " ], "text": "" }

Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause embryo-fetal toxicity, including fetal death when administered to a pregnant woman.

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated for use in pregnant women with non-neoplastic diseases. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)].

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Methotrexate Injection treatment and for 6 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Methotrexate Injection treatment and for 3 months after the final dose [see Contraindications ( 4) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1, 8.3, 8.4)].

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1)] . If signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis or any other serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately discontinue Methotrexate Injection and institute appropriate therapy [see Contraindications ( 4)] .

Formulations with benzyl alcohol can cause severe central nervous toxicity or metabolic acidosis, if used in neonates or low-birth weight infants, intrathecally, or in high-dose regimens. Use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection for treatment of neonates or low-birth weight infants and for intrathecal use. Do not use benzyl alcohol-containing formulations for high-dose regimens unless immediate treatment is required, and preservative-free formulations are not available. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1)] .

Serious and Fatal Adverse Reactions Including Gasping Syndrome in Neonates and Low-Birth Weight Infants

Serious and fatal adverse reactions including “gasping syndrome” can occur in neonates and low birth weight infants treated with drugs containing benzyl alcohol, including Methotrexate Injection with preservative. The “gasping syndrome” is characterized by central nervous system (CNS) depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations.

When prescribing in infants (non-neonate, non-low-birth weight), if a preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection is not available and use of a benzyl alcohol-containing formulation is necessary, consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including Methotrexate Injection (Methotrexate Injection contains 9.4 mg of benzyl alcohol/per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4)] .

Neurotoxicity Due to Intrathecal Administration

Serious neurotoxicity can occur following the intrathecal administration of Methotrexate Injection containing the preservative benzyl alcohol.

Metabolic Acidosis with High-Dose Therapy

Severe metabolic acidosis can occur with Methotrexate Injection that contains the preservative benzyl alcohol.

Methotrexate suppresses hematopoiesis and can cause severe and life-threatening pancytopenia, anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1)] .

Obtain blood counts at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor patients for possible clinical complications of myelosuppression. Provide supportive care and withhold, reduce dose, or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as needed.

Patients treated with methotrexate are at increased risk for developing life-threatening or fatal bacterial, fungal, or viral infections including opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecipneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B reactivation, tuberculosis primary infection or reactivation, and disseminated Herpes zosterand cytomegalovirus infections.

Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection in patients who develop serious infections.

Methotrexate can cause renal toxicity including irreversible acute renal failure. Monitor renal function and withhold or discontinue methotrexate as needed for severe renal toxicity.

For patients receiving high-dose regimens, follow recommendations to decrease the risk of renal injury and mitigate renal toxicity [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)].

Patients with impaired renal function are at increased risk for methotrexate toxicity [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6)].

Consider administration of glucarpidase in patients with toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (>1 micromole per liter) and delayed clearance due to impaired renal function. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2)].

Methotrexate can cause severe and potentially irreversible hepatotoxicity including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatal liver failure [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1, 6.2)].

In patients with psoriasis, fibrosis or cirrhosis may occur in the absence of symptoms or abnormal liver function tests. In patients with psoriasis, the risk of hepatotoxicity appears to increase with total cumulative dose and generally occurs after receipt of a total cumulative dose of 1.5 g or more.

The safety of Methotrexate Injection in patients with liver disease is unknown. Avoid use of Methotrexate Injection in patients with chronic liver disease, unless benefits clearly outweigh the risks. The risk of hepatotoxicity is increased with heavy alcohol consumption. Assess liver function prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection and monitor liver function tests during treatment. Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate.

Methotrexate can cause severe acute and chronic neurotoxicity which can be progressive, irreversible, and fatal. Serious neurotoxicity, including generalized and focal seizures, have occurred in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4)]. Monitor patients for signs of neurotoxicity and withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection when appropriate.

Leukoencephalopathy

Leukoencephalopathy can occur with intermediate and high-dose intravenous regimens, intrathecal methotrexate, and low-dose methotrexate therapy. The risk of leukoencephalopathy is increased with prior cranial radiation.

Transient Acute Neurologic Syndrome

A transient acute stroke-like syndrome can occur with high-dose methotrexate. Clinical manifestations include confusion, hemiparesis, transient blindness, seizures, and coma.

Neurologic Adverse Reactions Associated with Intrathecal Administration

Intrathecal methotrexate can cause the following additional neurologic adverse reactions:

Avoid the intrathecal use of Methotrexate Injection that contains the preservative benzyl alcohol because of the risk of serious neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)].

Methotrexate can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomatitis, hemorrhagic enteritis and fatal intestinal perforation [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1)]. Patients with peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis are at a greater risk of developing severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions.

Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection for severe gastrointestinal toxicity, and institute appropriate supportive care as needed.

Methotrexate-induced pulmonary toxicity including acute or chronic interstitial pneumonitis and irreversible or fatal cases can occur at all dose levels. Monitor patients for signs of pulmonary toxicity and withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate.

Severe, including fatal, dermatologic reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1, 6.2)].

Psoriasis may be aggravated by concomitant exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Methotrexate can also cause radiation recall dermatitis and photodermatitis (sunburn) reactivation.

Monitor patients for signs of dermatologic toxicity and withhold or permanently discontinue Methotrexate Injection for severe dermatologic adverse reactions. Counsel patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun protection measures.

Neoplastic Diseases

Products containing folic acid or its derivatives may decrease the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate. Avoid use of products containing folic acid or folinic acid unless clinically indicated [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1)].

Non-neoplastic Diseases

Folate deficiency may increase methotrexate adverse reactions. Administer folic acid or folinic acid to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and psoriasis [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.10, 2.11, 2.12)].

Secondary malignancies can occur at all dose levels of methotrexate. In some cases, lymphoproliferative disease that occurred during therapy with low-dose methotrexate regressed completely following withdrawal of methotrexate. If lymphoproliferative disease occurs, discontinue Methotrexate Injection and institute appropriate treatment if lymphoma does not regress.

Methotrexate can induce tumor lysis syndrome in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Institute appropriate treatment for prevention and management of tumor lysis syndrome.

Immunization during Methotrexate Injection treatment may be ineffective.

Disseminated infections following administration of live vaccines have been reported.

Update immunizations according to immunization guidelines prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection. Immunization with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment. The interval between live vaccinations and initiation of Methotrexate Injection should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines for patients on immunosuppressive therapies.

Based on published reports, methotrexate can cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, and menstrual dysfunction. It is not known if the infertility may be reversible in affected patients. Discuss the risk of effects on reproduction with female and male patients of reproductive potential [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3)].

Methotrexate can exit slowly from third space accumulations resulting in prolonged terminal plasma half-life and toxicity. Evacuate significant third-space accumulations prior to Methotrexate Injection administration [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)].

Concomitant radiation therapy increases the risk of soft tissue necrosis and osteonecrosis associated with methotrexate.

Serious adverse reactions, including death, have occurred due to medication errors. Most commonly, these errors occurred in patients who were taking methotrexate daily when a weekly dosing regimen was prescribed. Ensure that patients receive the recommended dosage, because medication errors have led to death.

Because clinical trials and other studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Commonly reported adverse reactions include ulcerative stomatitis, leukopenia, nausea, and abdominal distress. Other frequently reported adverse reactions are infection, malaise, fatigue, chills, fever, and dizziness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The approximate incidences of methotrexate-attributed (i.e., placebo rate subtracted) adverse reactions in 12- to 18-week double-blind studies in patients (n=128) with RA treated with low-dose oral (7.5 mg per week to 15 mg per week) pulse methotrexate are listed below. Most patients were on concomitant NSAIDs and some received corticosteroids. Hepatic histology was not examined in these short-term studies.

Incidence ≥10%:Elevated liver function tests 15%, nausea/vomiting 10%.

Incidence 3% to <10%:Stomatitis, thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000/mm 3).

Incidence 1% to <3%:Rash/pruritus/dermatitis, diarrhea, alopecia, leukopenia (white blood cell count less than 3000/mm 3), pancytopenia, dizziness.

Two other controlled trials of patients (n=680) with RA on 7.5 mg per week to 15 mg per week oral doses showed the following adverse reactions:

Incidence 1%:Interstitial pneumonitis.

Other less common adverse reactions:Decreased hematocrit, headache, upper respiratory infection, anorexia, arthralgias, chest pain, coughing, dysuria, eye discomfort, epistaxis, fever, infection, sweating, tinnitus, vaginal discharge.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA) The approximate incidences of adverse reactions reported in patients 2 to 18 years of age with pJIA treated with oral, weekly doses of methotrexate (5 mg/m 2per week to 20 mg/m 2per week or 0.1 mg/kg per week to 0.65 mg/kg per week) were as follows (most patients were receiving concomitant NSAIDs, and some received corticosteroids): elevated liver function tests, 14%; gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), 11%; stomatitis, 2%; leukopenia, 2%; headache, 1.2%; alopecia, 0.5%; dizziness, 0.2%; rash, 0.2%.

Psoriasis In two published series of adult psoriasis patients (n=204, 248) treated with methotrexate doses up to 25 mg per week for up to 4 years, adverse reaction rates were similar to those in patients with RA, except for alopecia, photosensitivity, and “burning of skin lesions” (each 3% to 10%). Painful plaque erosions have been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of methotrexate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders:Aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy, hypogammaglobulinemia

Cardiovascular disorders:Thromboembolic events (including arterial thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolus), pericarditis, pericardial effusion, hypotension, sudden death

Endocrine:Diabetes

Eye disorders:Optic neuropathy, blurred vision, ocular irritation, conjunctivitis, xerophthalmia

Gastrointestinal disorders:Hemorrhagic enteritis, intestinal perforation, gingivitis, pancreatitis, pharyngitis, hematemesis, melena, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding

Hepatobiliary disorders:Acute hepatitis, decreased serum albumin, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure

Immune system disorders:Anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, vasculitis

Metabolism:Hyperglycemia

Musculoskeletal disorders:Stress fracture, soft tissue necrosis, arthralgia, myalgia, osteoporosis

Nervous system disorders:Headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, speech impairment (including dysarthria and aphasia), transient cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, unusual cranial sensations, paresis, encephalopathy, leukoencephalopathy, and convulsions. Also, spinal radiculopathy with intrathecal use

Renal disorders:Severe renal toxicity including renal failure, azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, cystitis

Reproductive disorders:Defective oogenesis or spermatogenesis, loss of libido, impotence, gynecomastia, menstrual dysfunction

Respiratory disorders:Pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, chronic interstitial obstructive pulmonary disease, pleuritic pain and thickening, alveolitis

Skin disorders:Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, erythematous rashes, pruritus, alopecia, skin ulceration, accelerated nodulosis, urticaria, pigmentary changes, ecchymosis, telangiectasia, photosensitivity, acne, furunculosis

General disorders and administration site conditions:Injection site necrosis, injection site reaction

Drugs that Increase Methotrexate Exposure

Coadministration of methotrexate with the following products may increase methotrexate plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of methotrexate severe adverse reactions.

Increased organ specific adverse reactions may also occur when methotrexate is coadministered with hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic products. If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor closely for methotrexate adverse reactions when coadministered with:

Nitrous Oxide

Coadministration of methotrexate with nitrous oxide anesthesia potentiates the effect of methotrexate on folate-dependent metabolic pathways, which may increase the risk of severe methotrexate adverse reactions. Avoid nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients receiving methotrexate. Consider alternative therapies in patients who have received prior nitrous oxide anesthesia.

Folic Acid

Coadministration of methotrexate with folic acid or its derivatives decreases the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate in patients with neoplastic diseases. Methotrexate competes with reduced folates for active transport across cell membranes. Instruct patients to take folic or folinic acid only as directed by their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12)] .

Theophylline

Coadministration of methotrexate with theophylline increases theophylline plasma concentrations which may increase the risk of theophylline adverse reactions. Monitor theophylline levels and adjust the theophylline dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.

Risk Summary

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in pregnant women with non-neoplastic diseases. Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death when administered to a pregnant woman [see Data and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1)] . There are no animal data that meet current standards for nonclinical developmental toxicity studies. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4)] .

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

Published data from case reports, literature reviews, and observational studies report that methotrexate exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death. Methotrexate exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and multiple adverse developmental outcomes, including skull anomalies, facial dysmorphism, CNS abnormalities, limb abnormalities, and sometimes cardiac anomalies and intellectual impairment. Adverse outcomes associated with exposure during second and third trimesters of pregnancy include intrauterine growth restriction and functional abnormalities. Because methotrexate is widely distributed and persists in the body for a prolonged period, there is a potential risk to the fetus from preconception methotrexate exposure.

A prospective multicenter study evaluated pregnancy outcomes in women taking methotrexate less than or equal to 30 mg/week after conception. The rate of spontaneous abortion/miscarriage in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate was 42.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29.2 to 58.7), which was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (22.5%, 95% CI 16.8 to 29.7) and unexposed patients with non-autoimmune disease (17.3%, 95% CI 13 to 22.8). Of the live births, the rate of major birth defects in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate after conception was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.8 [95% CI 0.6 to 5.7]) and unexposed patients with non-autoimmune disease (adjusted OR 3.1 [95% CI 1.03 to 9.5]) (2.9%). Major birth defects associated with pregnancies exposed to methotrexate after conception were not always consistent with methotrexate-associated adverse developmental outcomes.

Limited published literature reports the presence of methotrexate in human milk in low amounts, with the highest breast milk to plasma concentration ration reported to be 0.08:1. No information is available on the effects of methotrexate on a breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from methotrexate in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Methotrexate Injection and for 1 week after the final dose.

Methotrexate can cause malformations and fetal death at doses less than or equal to the recommended clinical doses [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1)] .

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection [see Contraindications ( 4) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1)] .

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 6 months after the final dose of Methotrexate Injection therapy.

Males

Methotrexate can cause chromosomal damage to sperm cells. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 3 months after the final dose of Methotrexate Injection therapy.

Infertility

Females

Based on published reports of female infertility after therapy with methotrexate, advise females of reproductive potential that Methotrexate Injection can cause impairment of fertility and menstrual dysfunction during and after cessation of therapy. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected females.

Males

Based on published reports of male infertility after therapy with methotrexate, advise males that Methotrexate Injection can cause oligospermia or infertility during and after cessation of therapy. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected males.

The safety and effectiveness of Methotrexate Injection in pediatric patients have been established for ALL, meningeal leukemia prophylaxis and treatment, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, osteosarcoma and in pJIA. Clinical studies evaluating the use of methotrexate in pediatric patients with pJIA demonstrated safety comparable to that observed in adults with RA [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1)] . The safety and effectiveness of Methotrexate Injection have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

Additional risk information is described below.

Risks of Serious Adverse Reactions due to Benzyl Alcohol-Preservative

Due to the risk of serious adverse reactions and fatal gasping syndrome following administration of intravenous solutions containing the preservative benzyl alcohol in neonates, use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection in neonates and low-birth weight infants. The “gasping syndrome” is characterized by CNS depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations.

Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the “gasping syndrome” occurred in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who received drugs containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative. In these cases, benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day produced high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites in the blood and urine (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Additional adverse reactions include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematological abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Preterm, low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol.

When prescribing in infants (non-neonate, non-low-birth weight), if a preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection is not available and use of a benzyl alcohol-containing formulation is necessary, consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including Methotrexate Injection (Methotrexate Injection contains 9.4 mg of benzyl alcohol/per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known.

Do not administer methotrexate formulations containing benzyl alcohol intrathecally due to the risk of severe neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)] .

Leukemia/Lymphoma.

Serious neurotoxicity, frequently manifested as generalized or focal seizures, has been reported with unexpectedly increased frequency among pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with intermediate-dose intravenous methotrexate (1 g/m 2) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8)] .

Clinical studies of methotrexate did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Methotrexate elimination is reduced in patients with renal impairment [creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 90 mL/min, calculated using Cockcroft-Gault] [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)]. Patients with renal impairment are at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reactions.

Follow recommendations to promote methotrexate elimination and decrease risk of acute kidney injury and other methotrexate toxicities in patients who are receiving intermediate- or high-dose regimens [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6)]. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing Methotrexate Injection in patients with renal impairment as appropriate.

The pharmacokinetics and safety of methotrexate in patients with hepatic impairment is unknown Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reaction based on elimination characteristics of methotrexate [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)]. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing Methotrexate Injection in patients with hepatic impairment as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7)].

Manifestations.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nManifestations.\n\n " }

Overdosage, including fatal overdosage, has occurred with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.19)] .

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Overdosage, including fatal overdosage, has occurred with methotrexate\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.19)]\n \n .\n\n " }

Manifestations of overdosage include adverse reactions reported at pharmacologic doses, particularly hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, myelosuppression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal bleeding). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, sepsis or septic shock, renal failure, and aplastic anemia were also reported.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manifestations of overdosage include adverse reactions reported at pharmacologic doses, particularly hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, myelosuppression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal bleeding). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, sepsis or septic shock, renal failure, and aplastic anemia were also reported." }

Manifestations of intrathecal overdosage include CNS symptoms (e.g., headache, nausea and vomiting, seizure or convulsion, and acute toxic encephalopathy). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, cerebellar herniation associated with increased intracranial pressure and acute toxic encephalopathy have also been reported.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manifestations of intrathecal overdosage include CNS symptoms (e.g., headache, nausea and vomiting, seizure or convulsion, and acute toxic encephalopathy). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, cerebellar herniation associated with increased intracranial pressure and acute toxic encephalopathy have also been reported." }

Management.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nManagement.\n\n " }

Leucovorin and levoleucovorin are indicated to diminish the toxicity and counteract the effect of inadvertently administered overdosages of methotrexate. Administer leucovorin or levoleucovorin as soon as possible after overdosage (refer to the leucovorin or levoleucovorin prescribing information). Monitor serum methotrexate concentrations closely to guide leucovorin or levoleucovorin therapy. Monitor serum creatinine concentrations closely because high serum methotrexate concentrations may cause renal damage leading to acute renal failure.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Leucovorin and levoleucovorin are indicated to diminish the toxicity and counteract the effect of inadvertently administered overdosages of methotrexate. Administer leucovorin or levoleucovorin as soon as possible after overdosage (refer to the leucovorin or levoleucovorin prescribing information). Monitor serum methotrexate concentrations closely to guide leucovorin or levoleucovorin therapy. Monitor serum creatinine concentrations closely because high serum methotrexate concentrations may cause renal damage leading to acute renal failure." }

Glucarpidase is indicated for the treatment of toxic methotrexate concentrations in patients with delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function (refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information). If glucarpidase is used, do not administer leucovorin within 2 hours before or after a dose of glucarpidase because leucovorin is a substrate for glucarpidase.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Glucarpidase is indicated for the treatment of toxic methotrexate concentrations in patients with delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function (refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information). If glucarpidase is used, do not administer leucovorin within 2 hours before or after a dose of glucarpidase because leucovorin is a substrate for glucarpidase." }

Hydration and urinary alkalinization may be necessary to prevent the precipitation of methotrexate and/or its metabolites in the renal tubules. Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination. However, effective clearance of methotrexate has been reported with acute, intermittent hemodialysis using a high-flux dialyzer.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Hydration and urinary alkalinization may be necessary to prevent the precipitation of methotrexate and/or its metabolites in the renal tubules. Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination. However, effective clearance of methotrexate has been reported with acute, intermittent hemodialysis using a high-flux dialyzer." }

Methotrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor with the chemical name of N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl) methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid and a molecular weight of 454.44. The molecular formula is C 20H 22N 8O 5, and the structural formula is shown below:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor with the chemical name of N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl) methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid and a molecular weight of 454.44. The molecular formula is C\n \n 20H\n \n 22N\n \n 8O\n \n 5, and the structural formula is shown below:\n\n " }

Preservative-free Methotrexate Injection, USP is supplied in sterile single-dose vials for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intrathecal use.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Preservative-free Methotrexate Injection, USP is supplied in sterile single-dose vials for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intrathecal use." }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "Each 25 mg/mL, 2 mL, 10 mL and 40 mL vial contains methotrexate sodium equivalent to 50 mg, 250 mg and 1000 mg methotrexate , and the following inactive ingredients: Sodium chloride 0.490 %w/v. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5." ], "text": "" }

Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Dihydrofolates must be reduced to tetrahydrofolates by this enzyme before they can be utilized as carriers of one-carbon groups in the synthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. Therefore, methotrexate interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication. Actively proliferating tissues such as malignant cells, bone marrow, fetal cells, buccal and intestinal mucosa, and cells of the urinary bladder are in general more sensitive to this effect of methotrexate.

The mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and in psoriasis is unknown.

Distribution

After intravenous administration, the initial volume of distribution is approximately 0.18 L/kg (18% of body weight) and steady-state volume of distribution is approximately 0.4 L/to 0.8 L/kg (40% to 80% of body weight).

Methotrexate competes with reduced folates for active transport across cell membranes by means of a single carrier-mediated active transport process. At serum concentrations greater than 100 micromolar, passive diffusion becomes a major pathway by which effective intracellular concentrations can be achieved.

Methotrexate in serum is approximately 50% protein bound.

Methotrexate may be displaced from plasma albumin by various compounds, including sulfonamides, salicylates, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and phenytoin.

Methotrexate does not penetrate the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in therapeutic amounts when given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.

Elimination

The terminal half-life reported for methotrexate is approximately 3 to 10 hours for patients receiving treatment for psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis or low-dose antineoplastic therapy (less than 30 mg/m 2).

Following intravenous administration of high-dose methotrexate, the terminal half-life is 8 hours to 15 hours.

Metabolism

Methotrexate undergoes hepatic and intracellular metabolism to polyglutamated forms that can be converted back to methotrexate by hydrolase enzymes. These polyglutamates act as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase. Small amounts of methotrexate polyglutamates may remain in tissues for extended periods. The retention and prolonged drug action of these active metabolites vary among different cells, tissues, and tumors. Methotrexate undergoes minor metabolism to 7-hydroxymethotrexate, and accumulation may become significant following high dosages. The aqueous solubility of 7-hydroxymethotrexate is 3- to 5-fold lower than the solubility of methotrexate.

Excretion

Renal excretion is the primary route of elimination and is dependent upon dosage and route of administration. With intravenous administration, 80% to 90% of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours. There is limited biliary excretion amounting to 10% or less of the administered dose.

Enterohepatic recirculation of methotrexate has been proposed.

Renal excretion occurs by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. Nonlinear elimination due to saturation of renal tubular reabsorption has been observed in psoriatic patients at doses between 7.5 mg and 30 mg.

Specific Populations

Pediatric Patients

In pediatric patients receiving methotrexate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6.3 mg/m 230 mg/m 2), or for JIA (3.75 mg/m 226.2 mg/m 2), the terminal half-life has been reported to range from 0.7 to 5.8 hours or from 0.9 to 2.3 hours, respectively [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4)].

Patients with Renal impairment

The elimination half-life of methotrexate increases with the severity of renal impairment, with high inter-individual variability [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6)].

Methotrexate has been evaluated in a number of animal studies for carcinogenic potential with inconclusive results. There is evidence that methotrexate causes chromosomal damage to animal somatic cells and human bone marrow cells [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)].

{ "type": "", "children": [], "text": "" }

How Supplied

Methotrexate Injection, USP is a clear, yellow, sterile solution available as preservative-free (single-dose vials) as follows.

<div class="scrollingtable"><table width="80%"> <col width="30%"/> <col width="25%"/> <col width="45%"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"><span class="Bold">Strength/Fill volume</span></td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"><span class="Bold">NDC number</span></td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"><span class="Bold">Pack style</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top">50 mg/ 2 mL <br/> (25 mg/mL) </td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="bottom">16729-277-30</td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top">Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="middle">250 mg/ 10 mL <br/> (25 mg/mL) </td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top">16729-277-03</td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="bottom">Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial</td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="middle">1 g/40 mL <br/> (25 mg/mL) </td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top">16729-277-35</td><td align="left" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="bottom">Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

Storage and Handling

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light.

Methotrexate Injection, USP is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information)." }

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nEmbryo-Fetal Toxicity\n" }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy\n \n [see Contraindications (\n \n 4),Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.1),and Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.1)].\n \n \n", "Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during methotrexate therapy and for 6 months after the final dose\n \n [see Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.3)].\n \n \n", "Advise males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during methotrexate therapy and for 3 months after the final dose\n \n [see Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.3)].\n \n \n" ], "text": "" }

Hypersensitivity Reactions

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nHypersensitivity Reactions\n" }

Advise patients of the potential risk of hypersensitivity and that Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to methotrexate. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients of the potential risk of hypersensitivity and that Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to methotrexate. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.2)].\n \n \n" }

Myelosuppression and Serious Infections

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nMyelosuppression and Serious Infections\n" }

Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately for new onset fever, symptoms of infection, easy bruising or persistent bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4, 5.5)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately for new onset fever, symptoms of infection, easy bruising or persistent bleeding\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.4,\n \n 5.5)].\n \n \n" }

Renal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nRenal Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients that methotrexate can cause renal toxicity. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for signs or symptoms of renal toxicity, such as marked increases or decreases in urinary output [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients that methotrexate can cause renal toxicity. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for signs or symptoms of renal toxicity, such as marked increases or decreases in urinary output\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.6)].\n \n \n" }

Hepatotoxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nHepatotoxicity\n" }

Advise patients to report signs or symptoms of hepatic toxicity and avoidance of alcohol during methotrexate treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients to report signs or symptoms of hepatic toxicity and avoidance of alcohol during methotrexate treatment\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.7)].\n \n \n" }

Neurotoxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nNeurotoxicity\n" }

Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop new neurological symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop new neurological symptoms\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.8)].\n \n \n" }

Gastrointestinal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nGastrointestinal Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they develop diarrhea, vomiting, or stomatitis. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, hematemesis, or melena [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they develop diarrhea, vomiting, or stomatitis. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, hematemesis, or melena\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.9)].\n \n \n" }

Pulmonary Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nPulmonary Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider for symptoms of cough, fever, and dyspnea [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider for symptoms of cough, fever, and dyspnea\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.10)].\n \n \n" }

Dermatologic Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nDermatologic Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients that Methotrexate Injection can cause serious skin rash and to immediately contact their healthcare provider for new or worsening skin rash. Advise patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and to use sun protection measures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients that Methotrexate Injection can cause serious skin rash and to immediately contact their healthcare provider for new or worsening skin rash. Advise patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and to use sun protection measures\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.11)].\n \n \n" }

Secondary Malignancies

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nSecondary Malignancies\n" }

Advise patients on the risk of second primary malignancies during treatment with Methotrexate Injection [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients on the risk of second primary malignancies during treatment with Methotrexate Injection\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.13)].\n \n \n" }

Lactation

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nLactation\n" }

Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with methotrexate and for 1 week after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.2)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with methotrexate and for 1 week after the final dose\n \n [see Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.2)].\n \n \n" }

Infertility

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nInfertility\n" }

Advise females and males of reproductive potential that methotrexate may cause impairment of fertility [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise females and males of reproductive potential that methotrexate may cause impairment of fertility\n \n [see Use in Specific Populations (\n \n 8.3)].\n \n \n" }

Drug Interactions

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nDrug Interactions\n" }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "Advise patients and caregivers to inform their healthcare provider of all concomitant medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products\n \n [see Drug Interactions (\n \n 7)].\n \n \n", "Instruct patients being treated for neoplastic indication to not take products containing folic acid or folinic acid unless directed to do so by their healthcare provider\n \n [see Warnings and Precautions (\n \n 5.12)].\n \n \n" ], "text": "" }

Manufactured for: Accord Healthcare, Inc., 8041 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27617, USA.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manufactured for: \n Accord Healthcare, Inc., \n 8041 Arco Corporate Drive, \n Suite 200, Raleigh, \n NC 27617, USA.\n " }

Manufactured by: Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ahmedabad – 380 054, INDIA 10 3471 4 6032890 Issued November 2024

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manufactured by: \n Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, \n Ahmedabad – 380 054, INDIA \n \n 10 3471 4 6032890 \n \n Issued November 2024\n " }

<div class="scrollingtable"><table width="100%"> <tfoot> <tr class="First Last"> <td align="left" colspan="3" valign="top">This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</td><td align="right" colspan="1" valign="top">11/2024</td> </tr> </tfoot> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td align="center" class="Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4" valign="top"><span class="Bold">Patient Information</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top">METHOTREXATE (Meth-oh-trex-ate) <br/> Injection <br/> for intravenous, intramuscular, <br/> subcutaneous, or intrathecal use </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death, including: Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Females who can become pregnant:</span> </p> <ul> <li>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking Methotrexate Injection to see if you are pregnant.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</span>See <span class="Bold">“Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if”.</span> </li> <li>If you are taking Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</li> <li>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for <span class="Bold">6</span>months after your final dose of Methotrexate Injection. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time. <br/> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:</span> </p> <ul> <li>Use effective birth control during treatment and for <span class="Bold">3</span>months after your final dose of Methotrexate Injection. <br/> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Severe allergic reactions.</span>Severe allergic reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection. </p> <ul> <li> <span class="Bold">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection</span>if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate in the past. <span class="Bold">Get medical help right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection,</span>including: </li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>skin rash, itching, and hives</li> <li>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing</li> <li>dizziness or lightheadedness</li> <li>trouble breathing</li> <li>wheezing</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>throat tightness</li> <li>runny or stuffy nose</li> <li>fast heart rate</li> <li>chest pain</li> <li>feeling faint</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Decreased blood cell counts.</span>Methotrexate Injection can affect your bone marrow and cause decreased red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, and a condition where your bone marrow cannot produce these blood cells (aplastic anemia). These decreased blood cell counts can be severe and may lead to a serious infection, the need for blood transfusions, treatment in a hospital, and can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely for infections during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule"> <ul> <li>a new fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher)</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul> <li>symptoms of infection</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3"> <ul> <li>easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First">Your healthcare provider may give you medicines to support your blood counts or give you transfusions if needed, and change your dose or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if needed.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Serious infections.</span>People who receive treatment with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of developing serious infections that can be life-threatening or lead to death. These infections include: </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"> <ul> <li>bacterial infections</li> <li>fungal infections</li> <li>viral infections</li> <li>certain infections that happen because your immune system is weakened</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <ul> <li>hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation)</li> <li>tuberculosis (TB) infection that is new or that comes back (reactivation)</li> <li>shingles (herpes zoster)</li> <li>cytomegalovirus infections</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top">Your healthcare provider will closely watch you for signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if you develop a serious infection.</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Kidney problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause kidney damage including sudden kidney failure that may not go away (irreversible). People who already have kidney problems have an increased risk of kidney problems with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function during treatment, and will hold or stop Methotrexate Injection treatment as needed for severe kidney damage. </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away</span>if you have signs or symptoms of kidney problems such as a big change in the amount of urine that you make, either increased or decreased. </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Liver problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death. </p> <ul> <li> <span class="Bold">In people with psoriasis</span>who receive Methotrexate Injection, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases with the amount of Methotrexate Injection that you receive over time. </li> <li>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, and may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">The risk of liver problems is increased with heavy use of alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol during Methotrexate Injection treatment.</span> </li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems</span>during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including: </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"> <ul> <li>tiredness</li> <li>easy bleeding or bruising</li> <li>loss of appetite</li> <li>nausea</li> <li>difficulty thinking clearly</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <ul> <li>swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles</li> <li>weight loss</li> <li>itchy skin</li> <li>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</li> <li>weakness</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (possibly irreversible), and can cause death. </p> <ul> <li>Serious nervous system problems can happen in children who receive Methotrexate Injection, including seizures that can begin on one side of the brain (focal seizures) or on both sides of the brain (generalized seizures).</li> <li>The risk for a nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head and spine (craniospinal irradiation) in the past. Call your healthcare provider if you develop any new neurological symptoms.</li> <li>People who receive high-dose Methotrexate Injection can develop sudden symptoms that are like the symptoms of a stroke, but they last a short time and may go away (transient).</li> <li>People who receive injections of Methotrexate Injection into their spine (intrathecal methotrexate) can develop inflammation of the lining around the spinal nerves.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child develop any new signs or symptoms of a nervous system problem</span>during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including: </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"> <ul> <li>confusion</li> <li>weakness on one side of your body</li> <li>sudden blindness that goes away</li> <li>seizures</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <ul> <li>coma</li> <li>headache</li> <li>back pain</li> <li>stiff neck</li> <li>fever</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Severe stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal) problems.</span> </p> <p>Methotrexate Injection can cause diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, stomach and intestinal inflammation with severe bleeding, and tears in the intestinal wall (perforation), and can lead to death.</p> <ul> <li>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a higher risk of developing severe stomach and intestine problems with Methotrexate Injection.</li> <li>Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if any of these severe stomach and intestinal problems happen, and treat you as needed.</li> <li>Call your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation or sores in your mouth.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"> <ul> <li>high fever</li> <li>shaking chills</li> <li>stomach-area (abdomen) pain that is severe or does not go away</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <ul> <li>severe constipation</li> <li>if you are vomiting blood</li> <li>blood in your stools</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Lung problems.</span>Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with Methotrexate Injection or they can develop over a long period-of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death in anyone taking Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for lung problems during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider</span>if you develop symptoms of a lung problem, including: cough, fever, and trouble breathing. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Skin reactions.</span>Severe skin reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection, that can be serious and can lead to death. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <ul> <li>In people with psoriasis: Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light.</li> <li>Methotrexate Injection can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall) and can cause sunburn to come back (photodermatitis).</li> </ul> <p class="First">Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new or worsening skin rash during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First">See <span class="Bold">“What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?”</span>for more information about side effects. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What is Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used: in adults and children:</span> </p> <ul> <li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to help prevent (prophylaxis) and to treat leukemia that spreads to the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).</li> <li>to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma</li> <li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat osteosarcoma</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">in adults:</span> </p> <ul> <li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat breast cancer</li> <li>alone to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck</li> <li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat gestational trophoblastic neoplasia</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used:</span> </p> <ul> <li>in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA)</li> <li>in children to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</li> <li>in adults to treat severe psoriasis</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if you:</span> </p> <ul> <li>have had a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection. See <span class="Bold">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span> </li> <li>you are pregnant and are being treated, or will be treated with Methotrexate Injection for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis, or for any disease other than cancer. Methotrexate Injection can cause harm to an unborn baby including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See <span class="Bold">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span> </li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Before you receive Methotrexate Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span> </p> <ul> <li>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</li> <li>have liver problems</li> <li>have a history of neurologic problems, including seizures</li> <li>drink-alcohol containing beverages during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, or if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</li> <li>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</li> <li>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</li> <li>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</li> <li>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</li> <li>have ulcerative colitis</li> <li>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</li> <li>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection.</li> </ul> <p>Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking certain medicines can affect the amount of methotrexate in your blood and can increase your risk for serious side effects.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">How will I receive or take Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <ul> <li>Depending on your medical condition and the dose of Methotrexate Injection that is prescribed by your healthcare provider, Methotrexate Injection can be given to you:</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="2" valign="top"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>through an intravenous (IV) line in your vein</li> <li>for certain diseases the preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection can also be injected through your spine directly into your spinal fluid.</li> </ul> </td><td valign="top"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>by injection into a large muscle (intramuscular injection)</li> </ul> </td><td class="Rrule" valign="top"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer:</span> </p> <ul> <li>Your healthcare provider will decide your dose, how you will receive Methotrexate Injection, and how often you need to receive it, depending on your medical condition that is being treated.</li> <li>If you are receiving high-dose Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you will receive the medicine leucovorin to help prevent severe side effects (“rescue”) to your bone marrow and other normal cells in your body. You will also receive intravenous (IV) fluids and other medicines to help prevent and treat side effects.</li> <li>If you are receiving a “moderate-dose” of Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you may also receive leucovorin.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid during treatment with Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer,</span>unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with Methotrexate Injection may make your treatment less effective. </li> <li>Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</li> <li>Your healthcare provider may stop your treatment, change when you receive your treatment, or change the dose of your treatment if you have certain side effects while receiving Methotrexate Injection.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span> </p> <ul> <li>You should receive your Methotrexate Injection dose 1 time each week, not every day. Serious side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken Methotrexate every day instead of 1 time each week.</li> <li>Take folic acid or folinic acid every day during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores.</li> <li>If you receive too much Methotrexate Injection call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">In all patients receiving Methotrexate Injection:</span> </p> <ul> <li>If you miss receiving a dose of Methotrexate Injection, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to receive your next dose of Methotrexate Injection.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects, including:</span> </p> <ul> <li>See <span class="Bold">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).</span>TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving Methotrexate Injection as a cancer treatment. Your healthcare provider will treat you as needed to prevent or manage TLS if you develop it during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </li> <li> <span class="Bold">New (secondary) cancers.</span>New (secondary) cancers can happen in people who take or receive Methotrexate Injection at any dose. <ul> <li>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with low-dose Methotrexate Injection. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</li> <li>If you develop one of these blood cancers during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, your healthcare provider will stop your treatment, and treat as needed if the new cancer does not go away after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Increased risk of soft tissue and bone problems due to receiving Methotrexate Injection in combination with radiation therapy.</span>In people who receive Methotrexate Injection, some soft tissue in your body may die and some bone cells may die. People who receive radiation therapy in combination with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of this happening. </li> </ul> <p>The most common side effects of Methotrexate Injection include:</p> <ul> <li>mouth sores or ulcers</li> <li>nausea</li> <li>decreased white blood cell count. See <span class="Bold">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span> </li> <li>upset stomach</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause fertility problems in males and females, and cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. In females, your periods (menstrual cycle) may be irregular or completely stop when you receive Methotrexate Injection. Your periods may or may not return to normal following treatment. It is not known if your fertility will return after treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you. </p> <p>These are not all of the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection.</p> <p>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">General information about the safe and effective use of Methotrexate Injection.</span> </p> <p>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet.</p> <p>You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Methotrexate Injection that is written for health professionals.</p> </td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What are the ingredients in Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Active ingredient: methotrexate.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection Preservative-free:</span>sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5. </p> <br/> <p> <span class="Bold">Manufactured For:</span> <br/> Accord Healthcare, Inc., <br/> 8041 Arco Corporate Drive, <br/> Suite 200, Raleigh, <br/> NC 27617, USA. </p> <p> <br/> <span class="Bold">Manufactured By:</span> <br/> Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, <br/> Ahmedabad – 380 054, India. <br/> <br/> 10 3471 4 6032890 <br/> <br/> For more information call 1-866-941-7875 </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

{ "type": "table", "children": [], "text": "<div class=\"scrollingtable\"><table width=\"100%\">\n<tfoot>\n<tr class=\"First Last\">\n<td align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</td><td align=\"right\" colspan=\"1\" valign=\"top\">11/2024</td>\n</tr>\n</tfoot>\n<tbody class=\"Headless\">\n<tr class=\"First\">\n<td align=\"center\" class=\"Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\"><span class=\"Bold\">Patient Information</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"center\" class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">METHOTREXATE (Meth-oh-trex-ate) \n <br/> Injection \n <br/> for intravenous, intramuscular, \n <br/> subcutaneous, or intrathecal use\n </td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death, including: Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Females who can become pregnant:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking Methotrexate Injection to see if you are pregnant.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</span>See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if”.</span>\n</li>\n<li>If you are taking Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</li>\n<li>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">6</span>months after your final dose of Methotrexate Injection. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time. \n <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use effective birth control during treatment and for\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">3</span>months after your final dose of Methotrexate Injection. \n <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe allergic reactions.</span>Severe allergic reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection.\n \n </p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection</span>if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate in the past.\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">Get medical help right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection,</span>including:\n \n </li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>skin rash, itching, and hives</li>\n<li>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing</li>\n<li>dizziness or lightheadedness</li>\n<li>trouble breathing</li>\n<li>wheezing</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>throat tightness</li>\n<li>runny or stuffy nose</li>\n<li>fast heart rate</li>\n<li>chest pain</li>\n<li>feeling faint</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Decreased blood cell counts.</span>Methotrexate Injection can affect your bone marrow and cause decreased red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, and a condition where your bone marrow cannot produce these blood cells (aplastic anemia). These decreased blood cell counts can be severe and may lead to a serious infection, the need for blood transfusions, treatment in a hospital, and can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely for infections during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.\n \n </p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\">\n<ul>\n<li>a new fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher)</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>symptoms of infection</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul>\n<li>easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">Your healthcare provider may give you medicines to support your blood counts or give you transfusions if needed, and change your dose or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if needed.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Serious infections.</span>People who receive treatment with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of developing serious infections that can be life-threatening or lead to death. These infections include:\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>bacterial infections</li>\n<li>fungal infections</li>\n<li>viral infections</li>\n<li>certain infections that happen because your immune system is weakened</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation)</li>\n<li>tuberculosis (TB) infection that is new or that comes back (reactivation)</li>\n<li>shingles (herpes zoster)</li>\n<li>cytomegalovirus infections</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">Your healthcare provider will closely watch you for signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if you develop a serious infection.</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Kidney problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause kidney damage including sudden kidney failure that may not go away (irreversible). People who already have kidney problems have an increased risk of kidney problems with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function during treatment, and will hold or stop Methotrexate Injection treatment as needed for severe kidney damage.\n \n </p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away</span>if you have signs or symptoms of kidney problems such as a big change in the amount of urine that you make, either increased or decreased.\n \n </p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Liver problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.\n \n </p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In people with psoriasis</span>who receive Methotrexate Injection, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases with the amount of Methotrexate Injection that you receive over time.\n \n </li>\n<li>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, and may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">The risk of liver problems is increased with heavy use of alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol during Methotrexate Injection treatment.</span>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems</span>during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>tiredness</li>\n<li>easy bleeding or bruising</li>\n<li>loss of appetite</li>\n<li>nausea</li>\n<li>difficulty thinking clearly</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles</li>\n<li>weight loss</li>\n<li>itchy skin</li>\n<li>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</li>\n<li>weakness</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (possibly irreversible), and can cause death.\n \n </p>\n<ul>\n<li>Serious nervous system problems can happen in children who receive Methotrexate Injection, including seizures that can begin on one side of the brain (focal seizures) or on both sides of the brain (generalized seizures).</li>\n<li>The risk for a nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head and spine (craniospinal irradiation) in the past. Call your healthcare provider if you develop any new neurological symptoms.</li>\n<li>People who receive high-dose Methotrexate Injection can develop sudden symptoms that are like the symptoms of a stroke, but they last a short time and may go away (transient).</li>\n<li>People who receive injections of Methotrexate Injection into their spine (intrathecal methotrexate) can develop inflammation of the lining around the spinal nerves.</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child develop any new signs or symptoms of a nervous system problem</span>during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>confusion</li>\n<li>weakness on one side of your body</li>\n<li>sudden blindness that goes away</li>\n<li>seizures</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>coma</li>\n<li>headache</li>\n<li>back pain</li>\n<li>stiff neck</li>\n<li>fever</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal) problems.</span>\n</p>\n<p>Methotrexate Injection can cause diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, stomach and intestinal inflammation with severe bleeding, and tears in the intestinal wall (perforation), and can lead to death.</p>\n<ul>\n<li>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a higher risk of developing severe stomach and intestine problems with Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n<li>Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if any of these severe stomach and intestinal problems happen, and treat you as needed.</li>\n<li>Call your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation or sores in your mouth.</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>high fever</li>\n<li>shaking chills</li>\n<li>stomach-area (abdomen) pain that is severe or does not go away</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>severe constipation</li>\n<li>if you are vomiting blood</li>\n<li>blood in your stools</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Lung problems.</span>Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with Methotrexate Injection or they can develop over a long period-of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death in anyone taking Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for lung problems during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed.\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider</span>if you develop symptoms of a lung problem, including: cough, fever, and trouble breathing.\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Skin reactions.</span>Severe skin reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection, that can be serious and can lead to death.\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul>\n<li>In people with psoriasis: Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light.</li>\n<li>Methotrexate Injection can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall) and can cause sunburn to come back (photodermatitis).</li>\n</ul>\n<p class=\"First\">Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new or worsening skin rash during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?”</span>for more information about side effects.\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What is Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used: in adults and children:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to help prevent (prophylaxis) and to treat leukemia that spreads to the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).</li>\n<li>to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma</li>\n<li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat osteosarcoma</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">in adults:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat breast cancer</li>\n<li>alone to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck</li>\n<li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat gestational trophoblastic neoplasia</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA)</li>\n<li>in children to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</li>\n<li>in adults to treat severe psoriasis</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if you:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>have had a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection. See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span>\n</li>\n<li>you are pregnant and are being treated, or will be treated with Methotrexate Injection for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis, or for any disease other than cancer. Methotrexate Injection can cause harm to an unborn baby including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Before you receive Methotrexate Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</li>\n<li>have liver problems</li>\n<li>have a history of neurologic problems, including seizures</li>\n<li>drink-alcohol containing beverages during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, or if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</li>\n<li>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</li>\n<li>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</li>\n<li>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</li>\n<li>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</li>\n<li>have ulcerative colitis</li>\n<li>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n<li>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking certain medicines can affect the amount of methotrexate in your blood and can increase your risk for serious side effects.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">How will I receive or take Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Depending on your medical condition and the dose of Methotrexate Injection that is prescribed by your healthcare provider, Methotrexate Injection can be given to you:</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>through an intravenous (IV) line in your vein</li>\n<li>for certain diseases the preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection can also be injected through your spine directly into your spinal fluid.</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td valign=\"top\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>by injection into a large muscle (intramuscular injection)</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection)</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your healthcare provider will decide your dose, how you will receive Methotrexate Injection, and how often you need to receive it, depending on your medical condition that is being treated.</li>\n<li>If you are receiving high-dose Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you will receive the medicine leucovorin to help prevent severe side effects (“rescue”) to your bone marrow and other normal cells in your body. You will also receive intravenous (IV) fluids and other medicines to help prevent and treat side effects.</li>\n<li>If you are receiving a “moderate-dose” of Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you may also receive leucovorin.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid during treatment with Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer,</span>unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with Methotrexate Injection may make your treatment less effective.\n \n </li>\n<li>Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n<li>Your healthcare provider may stop your treatment, change when you receive your treatment, or change the dose of your treatment if you have certain side effects while receiving Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>You should receive your Methotrexate Injection dose 1 time each week, not every day. Serious side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken Methotrexate every day instead of 1 time each week.</li>\n<li>Take folic acid or folinic acid every day during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores.</li>\n<li>If you receive too much Methotrexate Injection call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In all patients receiving Methotrexate Injection:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you miss receiving a dose of Methotrexate Injection, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to receive your next dose of Methotrexate Injection.</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects, including:</span>\n</p>\n<ul>\n<li>See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).</span>TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving Methotrexate Injection as a cancer treatment. Your healthcare provider will treat you as needed to prevent or manage TLS if you develop it during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.\n \n </li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">New (secondary) cancers.</span>New (secondary) cancers can happen in people who take or receive Methotrexate Injection at any dose.\n \n <ul>\n<li>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with low-dose Methotrexate Injection. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</li>\n<li>If you develop one of these blood cancers during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, your healthcare provider will stop your treatment, and treat as needed if the new cancer does not go away after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Increased risk of soft tissue and bone problems due to receiving Methotrexate Injection in combination with radiation therapy.</span>In people who receive Methotrexate Injection, some soft tissue in your body may die and some bone cells may die. People who receive radiation therapy in combination with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of this happening.\n \n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>The most common side effects of Methotrexate Injection include:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>mouth sores or ulcers</li>\n<li>nausea</li>\n<li>decreased white blood cell count. See\n \n <span class=\"Bold\">“What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?”</span>\n</li>\n<li>upset stomach</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females.</span>Methotrexate Injection can cause fertility problems in males and females, and cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. In females, your periods (menstrual cycle) may be irregular or completely stop when you receive Methotrexate Injection. Your periods may or may not return to normal following treatment. It is not known if your fertility will return after treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you.\n \n </p>\n<p>These are not all of the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection.</p>\n<p>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">General information about the safe and effective use of Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</p>\n<p>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet.</p>\n<p>You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Methotrexate Injection that is written for health professionals.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr class=\"Last\">\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What are the ingredients in Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Active ingredient: methotrexate.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection Preservative-free:</span>sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5.\n \n </p>\n<br/>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Manufactured For:</span>\n<br/> Accord Healthcare, Inc., \n <br/> 8041 Arco Corporate Drive, \n <br/> Suite 200, Raleigh, \n <br/> NC 27617, USA.\n \n </p>\n<p>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Manufactured By:</span>\n<br/> Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, \n <br/> Ahmedabad – 380 054, India. \n <br/>\n<br/> 10 3471 4 6032890 \n <br/>\n<br/> For more information call 1-866-941-7875\n \n </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>" }

50 mg/2 mL (25 mg/ml)

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0 mg/2 mL (25 mg/mL)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\n0 mg/2 mL \n (25 mg/mL)\n \n" }

250 mg/10 mL (25 mg/mL)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\n250 mg/10 mL \n (25 mg/mL)\n \n" }

250 mg/10 mL (25 mg/mL)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\n250 mg/10 mL \n (25 mg/mL)\n \n" }

1 g/40 mL (25 mg/mL)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\n1 g/40 mL \n (25 mg/mL)\n \n" }

1 g/40 mL (25 mg/mL)

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\n1 g/40 mL \n (25 mg/mL)\n \n" }

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of meningeal leukemia in adult and pediatric patients.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with osteosarcoma as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with breast cancer as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck as a single agent.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA).

Methotrexate Injection is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe psoriasis.

To decrease the risk of severe adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]:

Refer to the leucovorin prescribing information for additional information.

Methotrexate Injection is used as part of a multi-drug regimen. The recommended dosage varies from 10 to 5000 mg/m2 intravenously. For high-dose Methotrexate Injection regimens, use leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Lower doses (e.g., 20 to 30 mg/m2 per week) may be used intramuscularly. Individualize the dose and schedule of Methotrexate Injection based on disease state, patient risk category, concurrent drugs used, phase of treatment, and response to treatment.

Use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection for intrathecal use.

Prior to administration, dilute preservative-free Methotrexate Injection to a concentration of 1 mg/mL in preservative-free 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP.

The recommended intrathecal dose of Methotrexate Injection (preservative-free) is based on age:

For treatment of meningeal leukemia, intrathecal methotrexate may be given at intervals of 2 or more days up to twice weekly; however, administration at intervals of less than 1 week may result in increased subacute toxicity. For meningeal leukemia prophylaxis, Methotrexate Injection is administered no more than once weekly.

For patients with Down Syndrome, administer leucovorin rescue with intrathecal Methotrexate Injection.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection varies. When used in combination, recommended dosages range from 10 mg/m2 to 8000 mg/m2 intravenously. When used as a single agent, recommended dosages include 8000 mg/m2 intravenously for central nervous system-directed therapy or 5 to 75 mg intravenously for cutaneous forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

As part of a combination chemotherapy regimen, a recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 1000 mg/m2 or 3000 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 24 hours followed by leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

For central nervous system-directed therapy, a recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 8000 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 4 hours as a single agent or in combination with immunochemotherapy at doses ranging from 3000 mg/m2 to 8000 mg/m2 followed by leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

For intrathecal Methotrexate Injection (preservative-free), the recommended dose is based on age [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. The frequency of administration varies based on whether it is being used for treatment or prophylaxis, and other factors.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is typically 12 g/m2 (maximum 20 g/dose) as an intravenous infusion over 4 hours administered as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen. Administer leucovorin rescue in accordance with high-dose methotrexate regimen guidelines [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. Subsequent doses may need to be adjusted based on observed peak serum methotrexate concentrations. Dosage and schedule may vary based upon factors such as patient comorbidities, disease state, and prior treatments.

A recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 40 mg/m2 intravenously as a component of a cyclophosphamide- and fluorouracil-based multi-drug regimen.

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection ranges from 40 to 60 mg/m2 intravenously once weekly.

For patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) a recommended dosage for Methotrexate Injection is 30 mg/m2 to 200 mg/m2 or 0.4 mg/kg to1 mg/kg intravenously or intramuscularly.

For patients with high-risk GTN, a recommended dosage for Methotrexate Injection is 300 mg/m2 over 12 hours as an intravenous infusion as a component of a multi-drug regimen.

The recommended starting dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 7.5 mg once weekly, administered intramuscularly with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages of more than 20 mg once weekly result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression.

When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

The recommended starting dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 10 mg/m2 once weekly administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages over 30 mg/m2 per week may result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression. When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

The recommended dosage of Methotrexate Injection is 10 mg to 25 mg intramuscularly or intravenously once weekly until adequate response is achieved.

Adjust the dose gradually to achieve optimal clinical response; do not exceed 25 mg per week. Once optimal clinical response has been achieved, reduce the dosage to the lowest possible dosing regimen.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

Discontinue Methotrexate Injection for:

Withhold, dose reduce or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate for:

Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate for:

Methotrexate Injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposable procedures.1

With Preservative (Multiple-Dose Vial)

Preservative-Free (Single-Dose Vial)

Methotrexate Injection preservative-free may be administered by intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, or intrathecal injection.

With Preservative (Multiple-Dose Vial)

Preservative-Free (Single-Dose Vial)

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in:" }

{ "type": "", "children": [], "text": "" }

Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause embryo-fetal toxicity, including fetal death when administered to a pregnant woman.

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated for use in pregnant women with non-neoplastic diseases. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Methotrexate Injection treatment and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during Methotrexate Injection treatment and for 3 months after the last dose [see Contraindications (4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3, 8.4)].

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. If signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis or any other serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately discontinue Methotrexate Injection and institute appropriate therapy [see Contraindications (4)].

Formulations with benzyl alcohol can cause severe central nervous toxicity or metabolic acidosis, if used in neonates or low birth weight infants, intrathecally, or in high-dose regimens. Use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection for treatment of neonates or low birth weight infants and for intrathecal use. Do not use benzyl alcohol-containing formulations for high-dose regimens unless immediate treatment is required, and preservative-free formulations are not available. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Serious and Fatal Adverse Reactions Including Gasping Syndrome in Neonates and Low Birth Weight Infants

Serious and fatal adverse reactions including "gasping syndrome" can occur in neonates and low birth weight infants treated with drugs containing benzyl alcohol, including Methotrexate Injection with preservative. The "gasping syndrome" is characterized by central nervous system (CNS) depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations.

When prescribing in infants (non-neonate, non-low birth weight), if a preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection is not available and use of a benzyl alcohol-containing formulation is necessary, consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including Methotrexate Injection (Methotrexate Injection contains 9.4 mg of benzyl alcohol per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Neurotoxicity Due to Intrathecal Administration

Serious neurotoxicity can occur following the intrathecal administration of Methotrexate Injection containing the preservative benzyl alcohol.

Metabolic Acidosis with High-Dose Therapy

Severe metabolic acidosis can occur with Methotrexate Injection that contains the preservative benzyl alcohol.

Methotrexate suppresses hematopoiesis and can cause severe and life-threatening pancytopenia, anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Obtain blood counts at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor patients for possible clinical complications of myelosuppression. Provide supportive care and withhold, reduce dose, or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as needed.

Patients treated with methotrexate are at increased risk for developing life-threatening or fatal bacterial, fungal, or viral infections including opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B reactivation, tuberculosis primary infection or reactivation, and disseminated Herpes zoster and cytomegalovirus infections.

Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection in patients who develop serious infections.

Methotrexate can cause renal toxicity including irreversible acute renal failure. Monitor renal function and withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as needed for severe renal toxicity.

For patients receiving high-dose regimens, follow recommendations to decrease the risk of renal injury and mitigate renal toxicity [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Patients with impaired renal function are at increased risk for methotrexate toxicity [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Consider administration of glucarpidase in patients with toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (>1 micromole per liter) and delayed clearance due to impaired renal function. [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

Methotrexate can cause severe and potentially irreversible hepatotoxicity including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatal liver failure [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].

In patients with psoriasis, fibrosis or cirrhosis may occur in the absence of symptoms or abnormal liver function tests. In patients with psoriasis, the risk of hepatotoxicity appears to increase with total cumulative dose and generally occurs after receipt of a total cumulative dose of 1.5 g or more.

The safety of Methotrexate Injection in patients with liver disease is unknown. Avoid use of Methotrexate Injection in patients with chronic liver disease, unless benefits clearly outweigh the risks. The risk of hepatotoxicity is increased with heavy alcohol consumption.

Assess liver function prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection and monitor liver function tests during treatment. Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate.

Methotrexate can cause severe acute and chronic neurotoxicity which can be progressive, irreversible, and fatal. Serious neurotoxicity, including generalized and focal seizures, have occurred in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)]. Monitor patients for signs of neurotoxicity and withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection when appropriate.

Leukoencephalopathy

Leukoencephalopathy can occur with intermediate and high-dose intravenous regimens, intrathecal methotrexate, and low-dose methotrexate therapy. The risk of leukoencephalopathy is increased with prior cranial radiation.

Transient Acute Neurologic Syndrome

A transient acute stroke-like syndrome can occur with high-dose methotrexate. Clinical manifestations include confusion, hemiparesis, transient blindness, seizures, and coma.

Neurologic Adverse Reactions Associated with Intrathecal Administration

Intrathecal methotrexate can cause the following additional neurologic adverse reactions:

Avoid the intrathecal use of Methotrexate Injection that contains the preservative benzyl alcohol because of the risk of serious neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Methotrexate can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomatitis, hemorrhagic enteritis and fatal intestinal perforation [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients with peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis are at a greater risk of developing severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions.

Withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection for severe gastrointestinal toxicity, and institute appropriate supportive care as needed.

Methotrexate-induced pulmonary toxicity including acute or chronic interstitial pneumonitis and irreversible or fatal cases can occur at all dose levels. Monitor patients for signs of pulmonary toxicity and withhold or discontinue Methotrexate Injection as appropriate.

Severe, including fatal, dermatologic reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].

Psoriasis may be aggravated by concomitant exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Methotrexate can cause radiation recall, photodermatitis (sunburn) reactivation, photosensitivity, and severe sunburn reactions. Advise patients to limit sun exposure while taking Methotrexate Injection. Advise patients when outdoors to wear a hat and protective clothing and use a broad-spectrum Ultraviolet A (UVA)/Ultraviolet B (UVB) sunscreen and lip balm (SPF ≥30) to help protect against sunburn.

Monitor patients for signs of dermatologic toxicity and withhold or permanently discontinue Methotrexate Injection for severe dermatologic adverse reactions.

Neoplastic Diseases

Products containing folic acid or its derivatives may decrease the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate. Avoid use of products containing folic acid or folinic acid unless clinically indicated [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Non-neoplastic Diseases

Folate deficiency may increase methotrexate adverse reactions. Administer folic acid or folinic acid to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and psoriasis [see Dosage and Administration (2.10, 2.11, 2.12)].

Secondary malignancies can occur at all dose levels of methotrexate. In some cases, lymphoproliferative disease that occurred during therapy with low-dose methotrexate regressed completely following withdrawal of methotrexate. If lymphoproliferative disease occurs, discontinue Methotrexate Injection and institute appropriate treatment if lymphoma does not regress.

Methotrexate can induce tumor lysis syndrome in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Institute appropriate treatment for prevention and management of tumor lysis syndrome.

Immunization during Methotrexate Injection treatment may be ineffective.

Disseminated infections following administration of live vaccines have been reported.

Update immunizations according to immunization guidelines prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection. Immunization with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment. The interval between live vaccinations and initiation of Methotrexate Injection should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines for patients on immunosuppressive therapies.

Based on published reports, methotrexate can cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, and menstrual dysfunction. It is not known if the infertility may be reversible in affected patients. Discuss the risk of effects on reproduction with female and male patients of reproductive potential [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Methotrexate can exit slowly from third-space accumulations resulting in prolonged terminal plasma half-life and toxicity. Evacuate significant third-space accumulations prior to Methotrexate Injection administration [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Concomitant radiation therapy increases the risk of soft tissue necrosis and osteonecrosis associated with methotrexate.

Serious adverse reactions, including death, have occurred due to medication errors. Most commonly, these errors occurred in patients who were taking methotrexate daily when a weekly dosing regimen was prescribed. Ensure that patients receive the recommended dosage, because medication errors have led to death.

Because clinical trials and other studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Commonly reported adverse reactions include ulcerative stomatitis, leukopenia, nausea, and abdominal distress. Other frequently reported adverse reactions are infection, malaise, fatigue, chills, fever, and dizziness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The approximate incidences of methotrexate-attributed (i.e., placebo rate subtracted) adverse reactions in 12- to 18-week double-blind studies in patients (n = 128) with RA treated with low-dose oral (7.5 mg per week to 15 mg per week) pulse methotrexate are listed below. Most patients were on concomitant NSAIDs and some received corticosteroids. Hepatic histology was not examined in these short-term studies.

Incidence ≥10%: Elevated liver function tests 15%, nausea/vomiting 10%.

Incidence 3% to <10%: Stomatitis, thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000/mm3).

Incidence 1% to <3%: Rash/pruritus/dermatitis, diarrhea, alopecia, leukopenia (white blood cell count less than 3000/mm3), pancytopenia, dizziness.

Two other controlled trials of patients (n = 680) with RA on 7.5 mg per week to 15 mg per week oral doses showed the following adverse reactions:

Incidence 1%: Interstitial pneumonitis.

Other less common adverse reactions: Decreased hematocrit, headache, upper respiratory infection, anorexia, arthralgias, chest pain, coughing, dysuria, eye discomfort, epistaxis, fever, infection, sweating, tinnitus, vaginal discharge.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA)

The approximate incidences of adverse reactions reported in patients 2 to 18 years of age with pJIA treated with oral, weekly doses of methotrexate (5 mg/m2 per week to 20 mg/m2 per week or 0.1 mg/kg per week to 0.65 mg/kg per week) were as follows (most patients were receiving concomitant NSAIDs, and some received corticosteroids): elevated liver function tests, 14%; gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), 11%; stomatitis, 2%; leukopenia, 2%; headache, 1.2%; alopecia, 0.5%; dizziness, 0.2%; rash, 0.2%.

Psoriasis

In two published series of adult psoriasis patients (n = 204, 248) treated with methotrexate doses up to 25 mg per week for up to 4 years, adverse reaction rates were similar to those in patients with RA, except for alopecia, photosensitivity, and "burning of skin lesions" (each 3% to 10%). Painful plaque erosions have been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of methotrexate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy, hypogammaglobulinemia

Cardiovascular disorders: Thromboembolic events (including arterial thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolus), pericarditis, pericardial effusion, hypotension, sudden death

Endocrine: Diabetes

Eye disorders: Optic neuropathy, blurred vision, ocular irritation, conjunctivitis, xerophthalmia

Gastrointestinal disorders: Hemorrhagic enteritis, intestinal perforation, gingivitis, pancreatitis, pharyngitis, hematemesis, melena, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding

Hepatobiliary disorders: Acute hepatitis, decreased serum albumin, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure

Immune system disorders: Anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, vasculitis

Metabolism: Hyperglycemia

Musculoskeletal disorders: Stress fracture, soft tissue necrosis, arthralgia, myalgia, osteoporosis

Nervous system disorders: Headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, speech impairment (including dysarthria and aphasia), transient cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, unusual cranial sensations, paresis, encephalopathy, leukoencephalopathy, and convulsions. Also, spinal radiculopathy with intrathecal use

Renal disorders: Severe renal toxicity including renal failure, azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, cystitis

Reproductive disorders: Defective oogenesis or spermatogenesis, loss of libido, impotence, gynecomastia, menstrual dysfunction

Respiratory disorders: Pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, chronic interstitial obstructive pulmonary disease, pleuritic pain and thickening, alveolitis

Skin disorders: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, erythematous rashes, pruritus, alopecia, skin ulceration, accelerated nodulosis, urticaria, pigmentary changes, ecchymosis, telangiectasia, photosensitivity, acne, furunculosis

General disorders and administration site conditions: Injection site necrosis, injection site reaction

Drugs that Increase Methotrexate Exposure

Coadministration of methotrexate with the following products may increase methotrexate plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of methotrexate severe adverse reactions.

Increased organ specific adverse reactions may also occur when methotrexate is coadministered with hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic products. If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor closely for methotrexate adverse reactions when coadministered with:

Nitrous Oxide

Coadministration of methotrexate with nitrous oxide anesthesia potentiates the effect of methotrexate on folate-dependent metabolic pathways, which may increase the risk of severe methotrexate adverse reactions. Avoid nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients receiving methotrexate. Consider alternative therapies in patients who have received prior nitrous oxide anesthesia.

Folic Acid

Coadministration of methotrexate with folic acid or its derivatives decreases the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate in patients with neoplastic diseases. Methotrexate competes with reduced folates for active transport across cell membranes. Instruct patients to take folic or folinic acid only as directed by their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

Theophylline

Coadministration of methotrexate with theophylline increases theophylline plasma concentrations which may increase the risk of theophylline adverse reactions. Monitor theophylline levels and adjust the theophylline dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.

Risk Summary

Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in pregnant women with non-neoplastic diseases. Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death when administered to a pregnant woman [see Data and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. There are no animal data that meet current standards for nonclinical developmental toxicity studies. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. The preservative benzyl alcohol can cross the placenta; when possible, use the preservative-free formulation when Methotrexate Injection is needed during pregnancy to treat a neoplastic disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

Published data from case reports, literature reviews, and observational studies report that methotrexate exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death. Methotrexate exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and multiple adverse developmental outcomes, including skull anomalies, facial dysmorphism, CNS abnormalities, limb abnormalities, and sometimes cardiac anomalies and intellectual impairment. Adverse outcomes associated with exposure during second and third trimesters of pregnancy include intrauterine growth restriction and functional abnormalities. Because methotrexate is widely distributed and persists in the body for a prolonged period, there is a potential risk to the fetus from preconception methotrexate exposure.

A prospective multicenter study evaluated pregnancy outcomes in women taking methotrexate less than or equal to 30 mg per week after conception. The rate of spontaneous abortion/miscarriage in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate was 42.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29.2–58.7), which was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (22.5%, 95% CI 16.8–29.7) and unexposed patients with non-autoimmune disease (17.3%, 95% CI 13–22.8). Of the live births, the rate of major birth defects in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate after conception was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.8 [95% CI 0.6–5.7]) and unexposed patients with non-autoimmune disease (adjusted OR 3.1 [95% CI 1.03–9.5]) (2.9%). Major birth defects associated with pregnancies exposed to methotrexate after conception were not always consistent with methotrexate-associated adverse developmental outcomes.

Risk Summary

Limited published literature reports the presence of methotrexate in human milk in low amounts, with the highest breast milk to plasma concentration ration reported to be 0.08:1. No information is available on the effects of methotrexate on a breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from methotrexate in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Methotrexate Injection and for 1 week after the last dose.

Methotrexate can cause malformations and fetal death at doses less than or equal to the recommended clinical doses [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Methotrexate Injection [see Contraindications (4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 6 months after the last dose of Methotrexate Injection therapy.

Males

Methotrexate can cause chromosomal damage to sperm cells. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 3 months after the last dose of Methotrexate Injection therapy.

Infertility

Females

Based on published reports of female infertility after therapy with methotrexate, advise females of reproductive potential that Methotrexate Injection can cause impairment of fertility and menstrual dysfunction during and after cessation of therapy. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected females.

Males

Based on published reports of male infertility after therapy with methotrexate, advise males that Methotrexate Injection can cause oligospermia or infertility during and after cessation of therapy. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected males.

The safety and effectiveness of Methotrexate Injection in pediatric patients have been established for ALL, meningeal leukemia prophylaxis and treatment, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, osteosarcoma and in pJIA. Clinical studies evaluating the use of methotrexate in pediatric patients with pJIA demonstrated safety comparable to that observed in adults with RA [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The safety and effectiveness of Methotrexate Injection have not been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Additional risk information is described below.

Risks of Serious Adverse Reactions due to Benzyl Alcohol-Preservative

Due to the risk of serious adverse reactions and fatal gasping syndrome following administration of intravenous solutions containing the preservative benzyl alcohol in neonates, use only preservative-free Methotrexate Injection in neonates and low birth weight infants. The "gasping syndrome" is characterized by CNS depression, metabolic acidosis, and gasping respirations.

Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the "gasping syndrome" occurred in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who received drugs containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative. In these cases, benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day produced high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites in the blood and urine (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Additional adverse reactions include gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematological abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Preterm, low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol.

When prescribing in infants (non-neonate, non-low birth weight), if a preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection is not available and use of a benzyl alcohol-containing formulation is necessary, consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including Methotrexate Injection (Methotrexate Injection contains 9.4 mg of benzyl alcohol per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known.

Do not administer methotrexate formulations containing benzyl alcohol intrathecally due to the risk of severe neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Leukemia/Lymphoma

Serious neurotoxicity, frequently manifested as generalized or focal seizures, has been reported with unexpectedly increased frequency among pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated with intermediate-dose intravenous methotrexate (1 g/m2) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

Clinical studies of methotrexate did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Methotrexate elimination is reduced in patients with renal impairment [creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 90 mL/min, calculated using Cockcroft-Gault] [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Patients with renal impairment are at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reactions.

Follow recommendations to promote methotrexate elimination and decrease risk of acute kidney injury and other methotrexate toxicities in patients who are receiving intermediate- or high-dose regimens [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing Methotrexate Injection in patients with renal impairment as appropriate.

The pharmacokinetics and safety of methotrexate in patients with hepatic impairment is unknown. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reaction based on elimination characteristics of methotrexate [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing Methotrexate Injection in patients with hepatic impairment as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

Manifestations

Overdosage, including fatal overdosage, has occurred with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.19)].

Manifestations of overdosage include adverse reactions reported at pharmacologic doses, particularly hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, myelosuppression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal bleeding). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, sepsis or septic shock, renal failure, and aplastic anemia were also reported.

Manifestations of intrathecal overdosage include CNS symptoms (e.g., headache, nausea and vomiting, seizure or convulsion, and acute toxic encephalopathy). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, cerebellar herniation associated with increased intracranial pressure and acute toxic encephalopathy have also been reported.

Management

Leucovorin and levoleucovorin are indicated to diminish the toxicity and counteract the effect of inadvertently administered overdosages of methotrexate. Administer leucovorin or levoleucovorin as soon as possible after overdosage (refer to the leucovorin or levoleucovorin prescribing information). Monitor serum methotrexate concentrations closely to guide leucovorin or levoleucovorin therapy. Monitor serum creatinine concentrations closely because high serum methotrexate concentrations may cause renal damage leading to acute renal failure.

Glucarpidase is indicated for the treatment of toxic methotrexate concentrations in patients with delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function (refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information). If glucarpidase is used, do not administer leucovorin within 2 hours before or after a dose of glucarpidase because leucovorin is a substrate for glucarpidase.

Hydration and urinary alkalinization may be necessary to prevent the precipitation of methotrexate and/or its metabolites in the renal tubules. Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination. However, effective clearance of methotrexate has been reported with acute, intermittent hemodialysis using a high-flux dialyzer.

Methotrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor with the chemical name of N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl) methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid and a molecular weight of 454.44. The molecular formula is C20H22N8O5 , and the structural formula is shown below:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor with the chemical name of N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl) methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid and a molecular weight of 454.44. The molecular formula is C20H22N8O5 , and the structural formula is shown below:" }

Methotrexate Injection with preservative is supplied in sterile multiple-dose vials for intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous use.

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Preservative-free Methotrexate Injection is supplied in sterile single-dose vials for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intrathecal use.

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Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Dihydrofolates must be reduced to tetrahydrofolates by this enzyme before they can be utilized as carriers of one-carbon groups in the synthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. Therefore, methotrexate interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication. Actively proliferating tissues such as malignant cells, bone marrow, fetal cells, buccal and intestinal mucosa, and cells of the urinary bladder are in general more sensitive to this effect of methotrexate.

The mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and in psoriasis is unknown.

Distribution

After intravenous administration, the initial volume of distribution is approximately 0.18 L/kg (18% of body weight) and steady-state volume of distribution is approximately 0.4 L/to 0.8 L/kg (40% to 80% of body weight).

Methotrexate competes with reduced folates for active transport across cell membranes by means of a single carrier-mediated active transport process. At serum concentrations greater than 100 micromolar, passive diffusion becomes a major pathway by which effective intracellular concentrations can be achieved.

Methotrexate in serum is approximately 50% protein bound.

Methotrexate may be displaced from plasma albumin by various compounds, including sulfonamides, salicylates, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and phenytoin.

Methotrexate does not penetrate the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in therapeutic amounts when given intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.

Elimination

The terminal half-life reported for methotrexate is approximately 3 to 10 hours for patients receiving treatment for psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis or low-dose antineoplastic therapy (less than 30 mg/m2).

Following intravenous administration of high-dose methotrexate, the terminal half-life is 8 hours to 15 hours.

Metabolism

Methotrexate undergoes hepatic and intracellular metabolism to polyglutamated forms that can be converted back to methotrexate by hydrolase enzymes. These polyglutamates act as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase. Small amounts of methotrexate polyglutamates may remain in tissues for extended periods. The retention and prolonged drug action of these active metabolites vary among different cells, tissues, and tumors. Methotrexate undergoes minor metabolism to 7-hydroxymethotrexate, and accumulation may become significant following high dosages. The aqueous solubility of 7-hydroxymethotrexate is 3- to 5-fold lower than the solubility of methotrexate.

Excretion

Renal excretion is the primary route of elimination and is dependent upon dosage and route of administration. With intravenous administration, 80% to 90% of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours. There is limited biliary excretion amounting to 10% or less of the administered dose. Enterohepatic recirculation of methotrexate has been proposed.

Renal excretion occurs by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. Nonlinear elimination due to saturation of renal tubular reabsorption has been observed in psoriatic patients at doses between 7.5 mg and 30 mg.

Specific Populations

Pediatric Patients

In pediatric patients receiving methotrexate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6.3 mg/m2 to 30 mg/m2), or for JIA (3.75 mg/m2 to 26.2 mg/m2), the terminal half-life has been reported to range from 0.7 to 5.8 hours or from 0.9 to 2.3 hours, respectively [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Patients with Renal impairment

The elimination half-life of methotrexate increases with the severity of renal impairment, with high inter-individual variability [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].

Methotrexate has been evaluated in a number of animal studies for carcinogenic potential with inconclusive results. There is evidence that methotrexate causes chromosomal damage to animal somatic cells and human bone marrow cells [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.2, 8.3)].

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How Supplied

Methotrexate Injection is a clear, yellow, sterile solution available with preservative (multiple-dose vials) and preservative-free (single-dose vials) as follows:

<div class="scrollingtable"><table class="Noautorules" width="75%"> <col width="23%"/> <col width="21%"/> <col width="42%"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Strength/Fill volume</span> </p> </td><td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">NDC number</span> </p> </td><td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Pack style</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <p class="First">With Preservative</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top"> <p class="First">50 mg/2 mL (25 mg/mL)</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">61703-350-38</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">Carton containing five (5) multiple-dose vials</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <p class="First">Preservative-free</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">1 g/40 mL (25 mg/mL)</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">61703-408-41</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

<div class="scrollingtable"><table class="Noautorules" width="75%"> <col width="44%"/> <col width="43%"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Carton contents</span> </p> </td><td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">NDC</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="2" valign="top"> <p class="First">Methotrexate Injection, With Preservative, 5 multiple-dose vials</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" valign="top"> <p class="First">50 mg/2 mL (25 mg/mL)</p> </td><td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">61703-350-38</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="2" valign="top"> <p class="First">Preservative-free Methotrexate Injection, 1 single-dose vial</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">1 g/40 mL (25 mg/mL)</p> </td><td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" valign="top"> <p class="First">61703-408-41</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

Storage and Handling

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Protect from light.

After first puncture, store multiple-dose vials at 2°C to 8°C, and use within 30 days.

Methotrexate Injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.1

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Advise patients of the potential risk of hypersensitivity and that Methotrexate Injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to methotrexate. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Myelosuppression and Serious Infections

Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately for new onset fever, symptoms of infection, easy bruising or persistent bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4, 5.5)].

Renal Toxicity

Advise patients that methotrexate can cause renal toxicity. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for signs or symptoms of renal toxicity, such as marked increases or decreases in urinary output [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

Hepatotoxicity

Advise patients to report signs or symptoms of hepatic toxicity and avoidance of alcohol during methotrexate treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

Neurotoxicity

Advise patient to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop new neurological symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

Gastrointestinal Toxicity

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they develop diarrhea, vomiting, or stomatitis. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, hematemesis, or melena [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].

Pulmonary Toxicity

Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider for symptoms of cough, fever, and dyspnea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

Dermatologic Toxicity

Advise patients that Methotrexate Injection can cause serious skin rash and to immediately contact their healthcare provider for new or worsening skin rash. Advise patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and to use sun protection measures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)].

Secondary Malignancies

Advise patients on the risk of second primary malignancies during treatment with Methotrexate Injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].

Lactation

Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Methotrexate Injection and for 1 week after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].

Infertility

Advise females and males of reproductive potential that Methotrexate Injection may cause impairment of fertility [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Drug Interactions

Distributed by:Hospira, Inc.Lake Forest, IL 60045

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Distributed by:Hospira, Inc.Lake Forest, IL 60045" }

LAB-0997-8.0

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "LAB-0997-8.0" }

<div class="scrollingtable"><table width="100%"> <col width="4%"/> <col width="26%"/> <col width="4%"/> <col width="6%"/> <col width="18%"/> <col width="9%"/> <col width="33%"/> <tfoot> <tr class="First Last"> <td align="left" colspan="7" valign="top">This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.     Issued: 05/2025</td> </tr> </tfoot> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td align="center" class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Patient Information</span> <br/>METHOTREXATE (Meth-oh-trex-ate) <br/>Injection<br/>for intravenous, intramuscular,<br/>subcutaneous, or intrathecal use</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <a name="mostimportantinfo"></a><span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death, including:</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby.</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Females who can become pregnant:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking Methotrexate Injection to see if you are pregnant.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</span> See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#donotreceiveif">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if</a>”</span>.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>If you are taking Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for <span class="Bold">6</span> months after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time. <br/> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant: </span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Use effective birth control during treatment and for <span class="Bold">3</span> months after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection. <br/> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Severe allergic reactions.</span> Severe allergic reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection.</p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection</span> if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate in the past.<br/> <span class="Bold">Get medical help right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection,</span> including:</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"></td><td colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>skin rash, itching, and hives</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>dizziness or lightheadedness</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>trouble breathing</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>wheezing</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>throat tightness</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>runny or stuffy nose</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>fast heart rate</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>chest pain</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>feeling faint</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Decreased blood cell counts.</span> Methotrexate Injection can affect your bone marrow and cause decreased red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, and a condition where your bone marrow cannot produce these blood cells (aplastic anemia). These decreased blood cell counts can be severe and may lead to a serious infection, the need for blood transfusions, treatment in a hospital, and can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely for infections during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. <br/> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop: </span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>a new fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher)</dd> </dl> </td><td colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>symptoms of infection</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First">Your healthcare provider may give you medicines to support your blood counts or give you transfusions if needed, and change your dose or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if needed.<br/> <span class="Bold">Serious infections.</span> People who receive treatment with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of developing serious infections that can be life-threatening or lead to death. These infections include:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>bacterial infections</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>fungal infections</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>viral infections</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>certain infections that happen because your immune system is weakened</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>tuberculosis (TB) infection that is new or that comes back (reactivation)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>shingles (herpes zoster) </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>cytomegalovirus infections</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First">Your healthcare provider will closely watch you for signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if you develop a serious infection.<br/> <span class="Bold">Kidney problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause kidney damage including sudden kidney failure that may not go away (irreversible). People who already have kidney problems have an increased risk of kidney problems with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function during treatment, and will hold or stop Methotrexate Injection treatment as needed for severe kidney damage. <br/> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away</span> if you have signs or symptoms of kidney problems such as a big change in the amount of urine that you make, either increased or decreased.<br/> <span class="Bold">Liver problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">In people with psoriasis</span> who receive Methotrexate Injection, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases with the amount of Methotrexate Injection that you receive over time. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, and may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">The risk of liver problems is increased with heavy use of alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol during Methotrexate Injection treatment.</span> </dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems</span> during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>tiredness</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>easy bleeding or bruising</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>loss of appetite</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>nausea</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>difficulty thinking clearly</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>weight loss</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>itchy skin</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>weakness</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (possibly irreversible), and can cause death. </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Serious nervous system problems can happen in children who receive Methotrexate Injection, including seizures that can begin on one side of the brain (focal seizures) or on both sides of the brain (generalized seizures).</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>The risk for a nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head and spine (craniospinal irradiation) in the past. Call your healthcare provider if you develop any new neurological symptoms.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>People who receive high-dose Methotrexate Injection can develop sudden symptoms that are like the symptoms of a stroke, but they last a short time and may go away (transient). </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>People who receive injections of Methotrexate Injection into their spine (intrathecal methotrexate) can develop inflammation of the lining around the spinal nerves. </dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child develop any new signs or symptoms of a nervous system problem</span> during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>confusion</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>weakness on one side of your body</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>sudden blindness that goes away</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>seizures</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>coma</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>headache</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>back pain</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>stiff neck</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>fever</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Severe stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal) problems</span>. <br/>Methotrexate Injection can cause diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, stomach and intestinal inflammation with severe bleeding, and tears in the intestinal wall (perforation), and can lead to death. </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a higher risk of developing severe stomach and intestine problems with Methotrexate Injection.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if any of these severe stomach and intestinal problems happen, and treat you as needed. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Call your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation or sores in your mouth.</dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" colspan="4" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>high fever</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>shaking chills</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>stomach-area (abdomen) pain that is severe or does not go away.</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>severe constipation</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>if you are vomiting blood</dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>blood in your stools</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Lung problems.</span> Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with Methotrexate Injection or they can develop over a long period-of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death in anyone taking Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for lung problems during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed. <br/> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider</span> if you develop symptoms of a lung problem, including: cough, fever, and trouble breathing.<br/> <span class="Bold">Skin reactions.</span> Severe skin reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection, that can be serious and can lead to death.</p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">In people with psoriasis:</span> Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Methotrexate Injection can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall), sunburns to come back (photodermatitis) and severe sunburn reactions.</dd> </dl> <p>Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Use a broad-spectrum ultraviolet sunscreen and lip balm with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or greater and wear a hat and protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new or worsening skin rash during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span> </p> <p>See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#possiblesideeffects">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> for more information about side effects.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What is Methotrexate Injection?</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used: </span> <br/> <span class="Bold">in adults and children:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to help prevent (prophylaxis) and to treat leukemia that spreads to the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat osteosarcoma</dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">in adults:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat breast cancer</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>alone to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat gestational trophoblastic neoplasia</dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in children to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>in adults to treat severe psoriasis</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <a name="donotreceiveif"></a><span class="Bold">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if you:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have had a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection. See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#mostimportantinfo">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>you are pregnant and are being treated, or will be treated with Methotrexate Injection for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis, or for any disease other than cancer. Methotrexate Injection can cause harm to an unborn baby including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#mostimportantinfo">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> </dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Before you receive Methotrexate Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have liver problems</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have a history of neurologic problems, including seizures</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>drink alcohol-containing beverages during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, or if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have ulcerative colitis</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection.</dd> </dl> <p>Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking certain medicines can affect the amount of methotrexate in your blood and can increase your risk for serious side effects.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">How will I receive or take Methotrexate Injection?</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Depending on your medical condition and the dose of Methotrexate Injection that is prescribed by your healthcare provider, Methotrexate Injection can be given to you: </dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"></td><td valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>through an intravenous (IV) line in your vein</dd> </dl> </td><td colspan="3" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>by injection into a large muscle (intramuscular injection)</dd> </dl> </td><td class="Rrule" colspan="2" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection)</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Lrule" valign="top"></td><td class="Rrule" colspan="6" valign="top"> <dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>for certain diseases the preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection can also be injected through your spine directly into your spinal fluid.</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider will decide your dose, how you will receive Methotrexate Injection, and how often you need to receive it, depending on your medical condition that is being treated. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>If you are receiving high-dose Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you will receive the medicine leucovorin to help prevent severe side effects ("rescue") to your bone marrow and other normal cells in your body. You will also receive intravenous (IV) fluids and other medicines to help prevent and treat side effects.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>If you are receiving a "moderate-dose" of Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you may also receive leucovorin.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid during treatment with Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer</span>, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with Methotrexate Injection may make your treatment less effective. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Your healthcare provider may stop your treatment, change when you receive your treatment, or change the dose of your treatment if you have certain side effects while receiving Methotrexate Injection.</dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>You should receive your Methotrexate Injection dose 1 time each week, not every day. Serious side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken Methotrexate Injection every day instead of 1 time each week.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>Take folic acid or folinic acid every day during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores.</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>If you receive too much Methotrexate Injection call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death. </dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">In all patients receiving Methotrexate Injection:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>If you miss receiving a dose of Methotrexate Injection, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to receive your next dose of Methotrexate Injection.</dd> </dl> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <a name="possiblesideeffects"></a><span class="Bold">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects, including:</span> </p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#mostimportantinfo">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)</span>. TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving Methotrexate Injection as a cancer treatment. Your healthcare provider will treat you as needed to prevent or manage TLS if you develop it during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">New (secondary) cancers</span>. New (secondary) cancers can happen in people who take or receive Methotrexate Injection at any dose.<dl> <dt>o</dt> <dd>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with low-dose Methotrexate Injection. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after Methotrexate Injection is stopped. </dd> <dt>o</dt> <dd>If you develop one of these blood cancers during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, your healthcare provider will stop your treatment, and treat as needed if the new cancer does not go away after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</dd> </dl> </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd> <span class="Bold">Increased risk of soft tissue and bone problems due to receiving Methotrexate Injection in combination with radiation therapy.</span> In people who receive Methotrexate Injection, some soft tissue in your body may die and some bone cells may die. People who receive radiation therapy in combination with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of this happening.</dd> </dl> <p>The most common side effects of Methotrexate Injection include:</p> <dl> <dt>•</dt> <dd>mouth sores or ulcers</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>nausea</dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>decreased white blood cell count. See <span class="Bold">“<a href="#mostimportantinfo">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> </dd> <dt>•</dt> <dd>upset stomach</dd> </dl> <p> <span class="Bold">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause fertility problems in males and females, and cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. In females, your periods (menstrual cycle) may be irregular or completely stop when you receive Methotrexate Injection. Your periods may or may not return to normal following treatment. It is not known if your fertility will return after treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you.<br/>These are not all of the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection.<br/>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">General information about the safe and effective use of Methotrexate Injection.</span> <br/>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet.<br/>You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Methotrexate Injection that is written for health professionals.</p> </td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule" colspan="7" valign="top"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What are the ingredients in Methotrexate Injection?<br/>Active ingredient: methotrexate.</span> <br/> <span class="Bold">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection Preservative-free:</span> sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5.<br/> <span class="Bold">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection with Preservative:</span> benzyl alcohol and sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5.<br/> <br/>Distributed by Hospira, Inc. Lake Forest, IL 60045<br/>LAB-1468-2.0 <br/> <br/> <a name="id2696"></a><img alt="Logo" src="/dailymed/image.cfm?name=methotrexate-03.jpg&amp;setid=0d63ba29-b692-41b4-87e8-351265c8273f"/></p> <p>For more information, go to <a href="http://www.pfizer.com">www.pfizer.com</a> or call 1-800-438-1985.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

{ "type": "table", "children": [], "text": "<div class=\"scrollingtable\"><table width=\"100%\">\n<col width=\"4%\"/>\n<col width=\"26%\"/>\n<col width=\"4%\"/>\n<col width=\"6%\"/>\n<col width=\"18%\"/>\n<col width=\"9%\"/>\n<col width=\"33%\"/>\n<tfoot>\n<tr class=\"First Last\">\n<td align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.     Issued: 05/2025</td>\n</tr>\n</tfoot>\n<tbody class=\"Headless\">\n<tr class=\"First\">\n<td align=\"center\" class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Patient Information</span>\n<br/>METHOTREXATE (Meth-oh-trex-ate) <br/>Injection<br/>for intravenous, intramuscular,<br/>subcutaneous, or intrathecal use</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<a name=\"mostimportantinfo\"></a><span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death, including:</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby.</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Females who can become pregnant:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking Methotrexate Injection to see if you are pregnant.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant.</span> See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#donotreceiveif\">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if</a>”</span>.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>If you are taking Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will receive or take Methotrexate Injection if you are pregnant. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for <span class=\"Bold\">6</span> months after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time. <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant: </span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Use effective birth control during treatment and for <span class=\"Bold\">3</span> months after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection. <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe allergic reactions.</span> Severe allergic reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection.</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection</span> if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate in the past.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Get medical help right away if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection,</span> including:</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\"></td><td colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>skin rash, itching, and hives</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>dizziness or lightheadedness</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>trouble breathing</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>wheezing</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>throat tightness</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>runny or stuffy nose</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>fast heart rate</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>chest pain</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>feeling faint</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Decreased blood cell counts.</span> Methotrexate Injection can affect your bone marrow and cause decreased red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and platelet counts, and a condition where your bone marrow cannot produce these blood cells (aplastic anemia). These decreased blood cell counts can be severe and may lead to a serious infection, the need for blood transfusions, treatment in a hospital, and can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely for infections during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop: </span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>a new fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher)</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>symptoms of infection</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">Your healthcare provider may give you medicines to support your blood counts or give you transfusions if needed, and change your dose or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if needed.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Serious infections.</span> People who receive treatment with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of developing serious infections that can be life-threatening or lead to death. These infections include:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>bacterial infections</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>fungal infections</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>viral infections</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>certain infections that happen because your immune system is weakened</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>tuberculosis (TB) infection that is new or that comes back (reactivation)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>shingles (herpes zoster) </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>cytomegalovirus infections</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">Your healthcare provider will closely watch you for signs and symptoms of infection during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if you develop a serious infection.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Kidney problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause kidney damage including sudden kidney failure that may not go away (irreversible). People who already have kidney problems have an increased risk of kidney problems with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function during treatment, and will hold or stop Methotrexate Injection treatment as needed for severe kidney damage. <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away</span> if you have signs or symptoms of kidney problems such as a big change in the amount of urine that you make, either increased or decreased.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Liver problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In people with psoriasis</span> who receive Methotrexate Injection, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases with the amount of Methotrexate Injection that you receive over time. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, and may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">The risk of liver problems is increased with heavy use of alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol during Methotrexate Injection treatment.</span>\n</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of liver problems</span> during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>tiredness</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>easy bleeding or bruising</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>loss of appetite</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>nausea</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>difficulty thinking clearly</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>weight loss</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>itchy skin</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>weakness</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (possibly irreversible), and can cause death. </p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Serious nervous system problems can happen in children who receive Methotrexate Injection, including seizures that can begin on one side of the brain (focal seizures) or on both sides of the brain (generalized seizures).</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>The risk for a nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head and spine (craniospinal irradiation) in the past. Call your healthcare provider if you develop any new neurological symptoms.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>People who receive high-dose Methotrexate Injection can develop sudden symptoms that are like the symptoms of a stroke, but they last a short time and may go away (transient). </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>People who receive injections of Methotrexate Injection into their spine (intrathecal methotrexate) can develop inflammation of the lining around the spinal nerves. </dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child develop any new signs or symptoms of a nervous system problem</span> during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, including:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>confusion</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>weakness on one side of your body</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>sudden blindness that goes away</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>seizures</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>coma</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>headache</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>back pain</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>stiff neck</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>fever</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe stomach and intestine (gastrointestinal) problems</span>. <br/>Methotrexate Injection can cause diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores, stomach and intestinal inflammation with severe bleeding, and tears in the intestinal wall (perforation), and can lead to death. </p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a higher risk of developing severe stomach and intestine problems with Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection if any of these severe stomach and intestinal problems happen, and treat you as needed. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Call your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation or sores in your mouth.</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop:</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>high fever</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>shaking chills</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>stomach-area (abdomen) pain that is severe or does not go away.</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>severe constipation</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>if you are vomiting blood</dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>blood in your stools</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Lung problems.</span> Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with Methotrexate Injection or they can develop over a long period-of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death in anyone taking Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for lung problems during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Your healthcare provider may hold or stop your treatment with Methotrexate Injection, if needed. <br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider</span> if you develop symptoms of a lung problem, including: cough, fever, and trouble breathing.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Skin reactions.</span> Severe skin reactions can happen with Methotrexate Injection, that can be serious and can lead to death.</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In people with psoriasis:</span> Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Methotrexate Injection can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall), sunburns to come back (photodermatitis) and severe sunburn reactions.</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. Use a broad-spectrum ultraviolet sunscreen and lip balm with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or greater and wear a hat and protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new or worsening skin rash during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n</p>\n<p>See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#possiblesideeffects\">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span> for more information about side effects.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What is Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used: </span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">in adults and children:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to help prevent (prophylaxis) and to treat leukemia that spreads to the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat osteosarcoma</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">in adults:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat breast cancer</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>alone to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines to treat gestational trophoblastic neoplasia</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection is a prescription medicine used:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in children to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>in adults to treat severe psoriasis</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<a name=\"donotreceiveif\"></a><span class=\"Bold\">Do not receive Methotrexate Injection if you:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have had a severe allergic reaction to Methotrexate Injection. See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#mostimportantinfo\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span>\n</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>you are pregnant and are being treated, or will be treated with Methotrexate Injection for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis, or for any disease other than cancer. Methotrexate Injection can cause harm to an unborn baby including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#mostimportantinfo\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span>\n</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Before you receive Methotrexate Injection, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have liver problems</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have a history of neurologic problems, including seizures</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>drink alcohol-containing beverages during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, or if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have ulcerative colitis</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking certain medicines can affect the amount of methotrexate in your blood and can increase your risk for serious side effects.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">How will I receive or take Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Depending on your medical condition and the dose of Methotrexate Injection that is prescribed by your healthcare provider, Methotrexate Injection can be given to you: </dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\"></td><td valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>through an intravenous (IV) line in your vein</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>by injection into a large muscle (intramuscular injection)</dd>\n</dl>\n</td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>injected under your skin (subcutaneous injection)</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Lrule\" valign=\"top\"></td><td class=\"Rrule\" colspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\">\n<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>for certain diseases the preservative-free formulation of Methotrexate Injection can also be injected through your spine directly into your spinal fluid.</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider will decide your dose, how you will receive Methotrexate Injection, and how often you need to receive it, depending on your medical condition that is being treated. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>If you are receiving high-dose Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you will receive the medicine leucovorin to help prevent severe side effects (\"rescue\") to your bone marrow and other normal cells in your body. You will also receive intravenous (IV) fluids and other medicines to help prevent and treat side effects.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>If you are receiving a \"moderate-dose\" of Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer, you may also receive leucovorin.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid during treatment with Methotrexate Injection to treat your cancer</span>, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with Methotrexate Injection may make your treatment less effective. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects during treatment with Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Your healthcare provider may stop your treatment, change when you receive your treatment, or change the dose of your treatment if you have certain side effects while receiving Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are receiving Methotrexate Injection for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>You should receive your Methotrexate Injection dose 1 time each week, not every day. Serious side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken Methotrexate Injection every day instead of 1 time each week.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>Take folic acid or folinic acid every day during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores.</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>If you receive too much Methotrexate Injection call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death. </dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In all patients receiving Methotrexate Injection:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>If you miss receiving a dose of Methotrexate Injection, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to receive your next dose of Methotrexate Injection.</dd>\n</dl>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<a name=\"possiblesideeffects\"></a><span class=\"Bold\">What are the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection?</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate Injection can cause serious side effects, including:</span>\n</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#mostimportantinfo\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span>\n</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)</span>. TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving Methotrexate Injection as a cancer treatment. Your healthcare provider will treat you as needed to prevent or manage TLS if you develop it during treatment with Methotrexate Injection. </dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">New (secondary) cancers</span>. New (secondary) cancers can happen in people who take or receive Methotrexate Injection at any dose.<dl>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with low-dose Methotrexate Injection. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after Methotrexate Injection is stopped. </dd>\n<dt>o</dt>\n<dd>If you develop one of these blood cancers during treatment with Methotrexate Injection, your healthcare provider will stop your treatment, and treat as needed if the new cancer does not go away after Methotrexate Injection is stopped.</dd>\n</dl>\n</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Increased risk of soft tissue and bone problems due to receiving Methotrexate Injection in combination with radiation therapy.</span> In people who receive Methotrexate Injection, some soft tissue in your body may die and some bone cells may die. People who receive radiation therapy in combination with Methotrexate Injection have an increased risk of this happening.</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>The most common side effects of Methotrexate Injection include:</p>\n<dl>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>mouth sores or ulcers</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>nausea</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>decreased white blood cell count. See <span class=\"Bold\">“<a href=\"#mostimportantinfo\">What is the most important information I should know about Methotrexate Injection?</a>”</span>\n</dd>\n<dt>•</dt>\n<dd>upset stomach</dd>\n</dl>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females.</span> Methotrexate Injection can cause fertility problems in males and females, and cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. In females, your periods (menstrual cycle) may be irregular or completely stop when you receive Methotrexate Injection. Your periods may or may not return to normal following treatment. It is not known if your fertility will return after treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you.<br/>These are not all of the possible side effects of Methotrexate Injection.<br/>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">General information about the safe and effective use of Methotrexate Injection.</span>\n<br/>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet.<br/>You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Methotrexate Injection that is written for health professionals.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr class=\"Last\">\n<td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule\" colspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What are the ingredients in Methotrexate Injection?<br/>Active ingredient: methotrexate.</span>\n<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection Preservative-free:</span> sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5.<br/>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Inactive ingredients for Methotrexate Injection with Preservative:</span> benzyl alcohol and sodium chloride. May contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH to 8.5.<br/>\n<br/>Distributed by Hospira, Inc. Lake Forest, IL 60045<br/>LAB-1468-2.0 <br/>\n<br/>\n<a name=\"id2696\"></a><img alt=\"Logo\" src=\"/dailymed/image.cfm?name=methotrexate-03.jpg&amp;setid=0d63ba29-b692-41b4-87e8-351265c8273f\"/></p>\n<p>For more information, go to <a href=\"http://www.pfizer.com\">www.pfizer.com</a> or call 1-800-438-1985.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>" }

Sterile2 mL Multiple-dose Vial

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NDC 61703-350-37Rx only

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Methotrexate Injection, USP50 mg/2 mL

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Isotonic Liquid(25 mg/mL)

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Contains preservative Hazardous Drug

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For Intravenous, Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Use Only

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VIAL

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Hospira

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5 x 2 mL Multiple-dose VialSterile

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NDC 61703-350-38Rx only

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Methotrexate Injection, USPIsotonic LiquidFor Intravenous, Intramuscular andSubcutaneous Use Only

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CONTAINS PRESERVATIVENOT FOR INTRATHECAL USE

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50 mg/ 2 mL(25 mg/mL)

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Hazardous Drug

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Sterile40 mL Single-dose vial. Discard unused portion.

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NDC 61703-408-41Rx only

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Methotrexate Injection, USP1 g/40 mL

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(25 mg/mL)

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For Intravenous, Intramuscular, Subcutaneous and Intrathecal Use Only

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Hazardous Drug

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Preservative Free

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VIAL

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Hospira

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1 x 40 mL VialSterile

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NDC 61703-408-41 Rx only

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Methotrexate Injection, USPPreservative Free

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1 g/ 40 mL

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(25 mg/mL)

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For Intravenous, Intramuscular,Subcutaneous and Intrathecal Use OnlySingle-dose vial. Discard unused portion.

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Hazardous Drug

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Methotrexate tablets are indicated for the:

Methotrexate tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate tablets are indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA).

Methotrexate tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults with severe psoriasis.

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential before starting methotrexate tablets [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Instruct patients and caregivers to take the recommended dosage as directed, because medication errors have led to deaths [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].

When switching the dosing regimen from oral administration to intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous administration, an alternative dosing regimen may be necessary.

Do not administer to patients who are unable to swallow a tablet.

Methotrexate tablets are a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.1

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The recommended starting dosage of methotrexate tablets is 20 mg/m2 orally once weekly, as part of a combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen. After initiating methotrexate tablets, periodically monitor absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet count and adjust the dose to maintain ANC at a desirable level and for excessive myelosuppression.

Mycosis Fungoides

The recommended dosage of methotrexate tablets is 25 to 75 mg orally once weekly when administered as a single agent or 10 mg/m2 orally twice weekly as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

The recommended dosage of methotrexate tablets is 2.5 mg orally 2 to 4 times per week (maximum 10 mg per week) as part of a metronomic combination chemotherapy regimen.

The recommended starting dosage of methotrexate tablets is 7.5 mg orally once weekly with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages of more than 20 mg once weekly result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression. When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

The recommended starting dosage of methotrexate tablets is 10 mg/m2 orally once weekly with escalation to achieve optimal response. Dosages of more than 30 mg/m2 once weekly result in an increased risk of serious adverse reactions, including myelosuppression. When responses are observed, the majority occurred between 3 and 6 weeks from initiation of treatment; however, responses have occurred up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

The recommended dosage of methotrexate tablets is 10 to 25 mg orally once weekly until an adequate response is achieved. Adjust the dose gradually to achieve optimal clinical response; do not exceed a dose of 30 mg per week. Once optimal clinical response has been achieved, reduce the dosage to the lowest possible dosing regimen.

Administer folic acid or folinic acid supplementation to reduce the risk of methotrexate adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

Discontinue methotrexate tablets for:

Withhold, dose reduce or discontinue methotrexate tablets as appropriate for:

Withhold or discontinue methotrexate tablets as appropriate for:

Tablets: Yellow, oval-shaped, film coated, scored, biconvex tablet. Debossed with b/572 on the scored side.

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Methotrexate tablets are contraindicated in:

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Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause fetal harm, including fetal death, when administered to a pregnant woman. Methotrexate is contraindicated for use in pregnant women receiving methotrexate for the treatment of non-malignant diseases. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 6 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during methotrexate treatment and for 3 months after the final dose [see Contraindications (4), Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with methotrexate [see Contraindications (4), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

If anaphylaxis or other serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately and permanently discontinue methotrexate [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Methotrexate suppresses hematopoiesis and can cause severe and life-threatening pancytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Obtain blood counts at baseline, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for clinical complications of myelosuppression. Withhold, dose reduce, or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomatitis occurred in up to 10% of patients receiving methotrexate for treatment of non-neoplastic diseases. Hemorrhagic enteritis and fatal intestinal perforation have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Patients with peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis are at a greater risk of developing severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for severe gastrointestinal toxicity taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Methotrexate can cause severe and potentially irreversible hepatotoxicity, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatal liver failure [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The safety of methotrexate in patients with hepatic disease is unknown.

The risk of hepatotoxicity is increased with heavy alcohol consumption. In patients with psoriasis, fibrosis or cirrhosis may occur in the absence of symptoms or abnormal liver tests; the risk of hepatotoxicity appears to increase with total cumulative dose and generally occurs after receipt of a total cumulative dose of 1.5 g or more.

Monitor liver tests at baseline, periodically during treatment and as clinically indicated. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Pulmonary toxicity, including acute or chronic interstitial pneumonitis and irreversible or fatal cases, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].

Monitor patients for pulmonary toxicity and withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Severe, including fatal dermatologic reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens- Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)].

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation while taking methotrexate may aggravate psoriasis.

Methotrexate can cause radiation recall dermatitis and photodermatitis (sunburn) reactivation.

Monitor patients for dermatologic toxicity and withhold or permanently discontinue methotrexate for severe dermatologic reactions taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Advise patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun protection measures.

Methotrexate can cause renal toxicity, including irreversible acute renal failure [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

Monitor renal function at baseline, periodically during treatment and as clinically indicated. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for severe renal toxicity taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Administer glucarpidase in patients with toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (> 1 micromole per liter) and delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function. Refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information for additional information.

Deaths occurred in patients as a result of medication errors. Most commonly, these errors occurred in patients who were taking methotrexate daily when a weekly dosing regimen was prescribed.

For patients prescribed a once weekly dosing regimen, instruct patients and caregivers to take the recommended dosage as directed, because medication errors have led to death.

Neoplastic Diseases

Products containing folic acid or its derivatives may decrease the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate. Therefore, instruct patients not to take products containing folic acid or folinic acid unless directed to do so by their healthcare provider.

Non-neoplastic Diseases

Folate deficiency may increase methotrexate adverse reactions. Administer folic acid or folinic acid for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and psoriasis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)].

Patients treated with methotrexate are at increased risk for developing life-threatening or fatal bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, including opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B reactivation, tuberculosis primary infection or reactivation, and disseminated Herpes zoster and cytomegalovirus infections [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

Monitor patients for infection during and after treatment with methotrexate. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for serious infections taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Methotrexate can cause severe acute and chronic neurotoxicity, which can be progressive, irreversible, and fatal [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. The risk of leukoencephalopathy is increased in patients who received prior cranial radiation.

Monitor patients for neurotoxicity and withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Secondary malignancies can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. The risk of cutaneous malignancies is further increased when cyclosporine is administered to patients with psoriasis who received prior methotrexate.

In some cases, lymphoproliferative disease occurring during therapy with low-dose methotrexate regressed completely following withdrawal of methotrexate. If lymphoproliferative disease occurs, discontinue methotrexate [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Methotrexate can induce tumor lysis syndrome in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Institute appropriate prophylactic measures in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome prior to initiation of methotrexate.

Disseminated infections following administration of live vaccines have been reported. Immunization with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment. Follow current vaccination practice guidelines for administration of immunizations in patients receiving methotrexate.

Update immunizations according to immunization guidelines prior to initiating methotrexate. The interval between live vaccinations and initiation of methotrexate should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines regarding immunosuppressive agents.

Based on published reports, methotrexate can cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, and menstrual dysfunction. It is not known if the infertility may be reversible. Discuss the risk of infertility with females and males of reproductive potential [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

Methotrexate accumulates in third-spaces (e.g., pleural effusions or ascites), which results in prolonged elimination and increases the risk of adverse reactions. Evacuate significant third- space accumulations prior to methotrexate administration taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy.

Because clinical trials and other studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Common adverse reactions were: ulcerative stomatitis, leukopenia, nausea, and abdominal distress. Other clinically relevant adverse reactions were infection, malaise, fatigue, chills, fever, and dizziness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common adverse reactions of methotrexate that exceeded the rate of placebo in 12- to 18-week double-blind studies in patients (n=128) with rheumatoid arthritis are listed below.

Patients received methotrexate 7.5 to 15 mg orally once weekly. Most patients received concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some also received corticosteroids. Hepatic histology was not examined in these short-term studies.

<div class="scrollingtable"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="126.9pt"/> <col width="423.9pt"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td> <p class="First">Incidence ≥10%:</p> </td><td> <p class="First">Elevated liver tests 15%, nausea/vomiting 10%</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="First">Incidence 3% to &lt;10%:</p> </td><td> <p class="First">Stomatitis, thrombocytopenia (platelet count &lt; 100,000/mm<span class="Sup">3</span>)</p> </td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td> <p class="First">Incidence 1% to &lt;3%:</p> </td><td> <p class="First">Rash/pruritus/dermatitis, diarrhea, alopecia, leukopenia (white blood cell count <br/> &lt; 3000/mm<span class="Sup">3</span>), pancytopenia, dizziness</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

Two other controlled trials of patients (n=680) with rheumatoid arthritis who received methotrexate 7.5 mg to 15 mg orally once weekly showed the following serious adverse reaction:

<div class="scrollingtable"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="126.9pt"/> <col width="423.9pt"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First Last"> <td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule"> <p class="First">Incidence 1%:</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule"> <p class="First">Interstitial pneumonitis</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

Other less common adverse reactions were: anemia, headache, upper respiratory infection, anorexia, arthralgias, chest pain, coughing, dysuria, eye discomfort, epistaxis, fever, infection, sweating, tinnitus, vaginal discharge.

Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (pJIA)

The most common adverse reactions reported in patients 2 to 18 years of age with pJIA treated with methotrexate 5 mg/m2 to 20 mg/m2 orally once weekly or 0.1 to 0.65 mg/kg orally once weekly were as follows: elevated liver tests 14%; gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) 11%; stomatitis 2%; leukopenia 2%; headache 1.2%; alopecia 0.5%; dizziness 0.2%; rash 0.2%. Most patients received concomitant NSAIDs and some also received corticosteroids.

Psoriasis

In two published series of adults with psoriasis (n=204, 248) who received methotrexate up to 25 mg per week for up to 4 years, adverse reaction rates were similar to those in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, except for alopecia, photosensitivity, and "burning of skin lesions" (3% to 10% each). Painful plaque erosions have been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of methotrexate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure

Cardiovascular: Thromboembolic events (including arterial thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolus), pericarditis, pericardial effusion, hypotension, sudden death

Endocrine: Diabetes

Eye: Optic neuropathy, blurred vision, ocular pain, conjunctivitis, xerophthalmia

Gastrointestinal: Hemorrhagic enteritis, intestinal perforation, gingivitis, pancreatitis, pharyngitis, hematemesis, melena, gastrointestinal ulceration

Hematology: Aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy, hypogammaglobulinemia

Hepatobiliary: Acute hepatitis, decreased serum albumin, fibrosis, cirrhosis

Immune system: Anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, vasculitis

Metabolism: Hyperglycemia

Musculoskeletal: Stress fracture, soft tissue and bone necrosis, arthralgia, myalgia, osteoporosis

Nervous system: Headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, speech impairment (including dysarthria and aphasia), transient cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, unusual cranial sensations, paresis, encephalopathy, and convulsions.

Renal: Azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, cystitis

Reproductive: Defective oogenesis or spermatogenesis, loss of libido, impotence, gynecomastia, menstrual dysfunction

Respiratory: Pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, chronic interstitial obstructive pulmonary disease, pleuritic pain and thickening, alveolitis

Skin: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, erythematous rashes, pruritus, alopecia, skin ulceration, accelerated nodulosis, urticaria, pigmentary changes, ecchymosis, telangiectasia, photosensitivity, acne, furunculosis

Drugs that Increase Methotrexate Exposure

Coadministration of methotrexate with the following products may increase methotrexate plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of methotrexate severe adverse reactions. In some cases, the coadministration of methotrexate with these products may also subsequently reduce active metabolite formation, which may decrease the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate. Increased organ specific adverse reactions may also occur when methotrexate is coadministered with hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic products.

If coadministration cannot be avoided, monitor closely for methotrexate adverse reactions when coadministered with:

<div class="scrollingtable"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <col width="275.4pt"/> <col width="275.4pt"/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Oral antibiotics (including neomycin)</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Antifolate drugs (e.g., dapsone, pemetrexed, pyrimethamine and sulfonamides)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Oral or intravenous penicillin or sulfonamide antibiotics</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Hepatotoxic products</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Highly protein-bound drugs (e.g., oral </li> </ul> </td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Proton pump inhibitors</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="First">anticoagulants, phenytoin, salicylates,</p> </td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Weak acids (e.g., salicylates)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="First">sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, and tetracyclines)</p> </td><td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Nephrotoxic products</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Probenecid</li> </ul> </td><td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

Nitrous Oxide

Coadministration of methotrexate with nitrous oxide anesthesia potentiates the effect of methotrexate on folate-dependent metabolic pathways, which may increase the risk of severe methotrexate adverse reactions. Avoid nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients receiving methotrexate. Consider alternative therapies in patients who have received prior nitrous oxide anesthesia.

Folic Acid

Coadministration of methotrexate with folic acid or its derivatives decreases the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate in patients with neoplastic diseases. Methotrexate competes with reduced folates for active transport across cell membranes. Instruct patients to take folic or folinic acid only as directed by their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

Risk Summary

Methotrexate is contraindicated in pregnant women with non-neoplastic diseases [see Contraindications (4)].

Based on published reports and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)], methotrexate can cause embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no animal data that meet current standards for nonclinical developmental toxicity studies. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

Published data from case reports, literature reviews, and observational studies report that methotrexate exposure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of embryo-fetal toxicity and fetal death. Methotrexate exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and multiple adverse developmental outcomes, including skull anomalies, facial dysmorphism, central nervous system abnormalities, limb abnormalities, and sometimes cardiac anomalies and intellectual impairment. Adverse outcomes associated with exposure during second and third trimesters of pregnancy include intrauterine growth restriction and functional abnormalities. Because methotrexate is widely distributed and persists in the body for a prolonged period, there is a potential risk to the fetus from preconception methotrexate exposure.

A prospective multicenter study evaluated pregnancy outcomes in women taking methotrexate less than or equal to 30 mg/week after conception. The rate of spontaneous abortion and miscarriage in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate was 42% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 29, 59), which was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (22%; 95% CI: 17, 30) and unexposed patients with nonautoimmune disease (17%; 95% CI: 13, 23). Of the live births, the rate of major birth defects in pregnant women exposed to methotrexate after conception was higher than in unexposed patients with autoimmune disease (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.8 [95% CI: 0.6, 6]) and unexposed patients with non-autoimmune disease (adjusted OR 3.1 [95% CI: 1, 10]) (2.9%). Major birth defects associated with pregnancies exposed to methotrexate after conception were not always consistent with methotrexate-associated adverse developmental outcomes.

Risk Summary

Limited published literature report the presence of methotrexate in human milk in low amounts, with the highest breast milk to plasma concentration ratio reported to be 0.08:1. There are no data on the effects of methotrexate or its metabolites on the breastfed child or their effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, instruct women not to breastfeed during treatment with methotrexate and for 1 week after the final dose.

Methotrexate can cause malformations and fetal death at doses less than or equal to the recommended clinical doses [Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating methotrexate [see Contraindications (4), Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 6 months after the final dose.

Males

Methotrexate can cause chromosomal damage to sperm cells. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 3 months after the final dose.

Infertility

Females

Based on published reports of female infertility after methotrexate, advise females of reproductive potential that methotrexate can cause impairment of fertility and menstrual dysfunction during treatment with methotrexate and after the final dose. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected females.

Males

Based on published reports of male infertility after methotrexate, advise males that methotrexate can cause oligospermia or infertility during treatment with methotrexate and after the final dose. It is not known if the infertility may be reversed in all affected males.

The safety and effectiveness of methotrexate in pediatric patients have been established for the treatment of ALL as part of the combination chemotherapy maintenance regimen and the treatment of pJIA [see Indications and Usage (1), Dosage and Administration (2)]. No new safety signals have been observed in pediatric patients in clinical studies [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

The safety and effectiveness of methotrexate have not been established in pediatric patients for the other indications [see Indications and Usage (1)].

Clinical studies of methotrexate did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

Methotrexate elimination is reduced in patients with renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Patients with renal impairment are at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reactions. Closely monitor patients with renal impairment [creatinine clearance (CLcr) less than 90 mL/min, Cockcroft-Gault] for adverse reactions. Reduce the dosage or discontinue methotrexate as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

The pharmacokinetics and safety of methotrexate in patients with hepatic impairment is unknown. Patients with hepatic impairment may be at increased risk for methotrexate adverse reactions based on the elimination characteristics of methotrexate [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Closely monitor patients with hepatic impairment for adverse reactions. Reduce the dosage or discontinue methotrexate as appropriate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Overdosage, including fatal overdosage, has occurred with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 9)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Overdosage, including fatal overdosage, has occurred with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 9)]." }

Manifestations

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nManifestations\n\n" }

Manifestations of methotrexate overdosage include adverse reactions reported at pharmacologic doses, particularly hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, myelosuppression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal bleeding). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, sepsis or septic shock, renal failure, and aplastic anemia were also reported.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manifestations of methotrexate overdosage include adverse reactions reported at pharmacologic doses, particularly hematologic and gastrointestinal reactions (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, myelosuppression, mucositis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulceration, or gastrointestinal bleeding). In some cases, no symptoms were reported; however, sepsis or septic shock, renal failure, and aplastic anemia were also reported." }

Management

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nManagement\n\n" }

Leucovorin and levoleucovorin are indicated for diminishing the methotrexate adverse reactions of methotrexate overdosage. Administer leucovorin or levoleucovorin as soon as possible after methotrexate overdosage). Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels to guide leucovorin or levoleucovorin therapy. Refer to the leucovorin or levoleucovorin prescribing information for additional dosage information.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Leucovorin and levoleucovorin are indicated for diminishing the methotrexate adverse reactions of methotrexate overdosage. Administer leucovorin or levoleucovorin as soon as possible after methotrexate overdosage). Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels to guide leucovorin or levoleucovorin therapy. Refer to the leucovorin or levoleucovorin prescribing information for additional dosage information." }

Glucarpidase is indicated for the treatment of toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (>1 micromole per liter) in patients with delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function. Refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information for additional dosage information.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Glucarpidase is indicated for the treatment of toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (>1 micromole per liter) in patients with delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function. Refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information for additional dosage information.\n" }

Administer concomitant hydration and urinary alkalinization.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Administer concomitant hydration and urinary alkalinization.\n" }

Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination; however, methotrexate has been effectively cleared with acute, intermittent hemodialysis using a high-flux dialyzer.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Neither hemodialysis nor peritoneal dialysis has been shown to improve methotrexate elimination; however, methotrexate has been effectively cleared with acute, intermittent hemodialysis using a high-flux dialyzer.\n" }

Methotrexate, USP is dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor with the chemical name of L-glutamic acid, N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl)methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]. The molecular formula is C20H22N8O5 and the molecular weight is 454.45 g/mol. The structural formula is:

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate, USP is dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor with the chemical name of L-glutamic acid, N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6-pteridinyl)methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]. The molecular formula is C20H22N8O5 and the molecular weight is 454.45 g/mol. The structural formula is:" }

Methotrexate tablets, USP for oral use are available in bottles of 36 and 100 tablets. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg methotrexate, USP equivalent to 2.74 mg methotrexate sodium.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Methotrexate tablets, USP for oral use are available in bottles of 36 and 100 tablets. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg methotrexate, USP equivalent to 2.74 mg methotrexate sodium. " }

Inactive Ingredients: Anhydrous lactose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, propylene glycol, sodium carbonate monohydrate, and talc.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nInactive Ingredients: Anhydrous lactose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, propylene glycol, sodium carbonate monohydrate, and talc." }

Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Dihydrofolates must be reduced to tetrahydrofolates by this enzyme before they can be utilized as carriers of one-carbon groups in the synthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. Therefore, methotrexate interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication. Actively proliferating tissues such as malignant cells, bone marrow, fetal cells, buccal and intestinal mucosa, and cells of the urinary bladder are in general more sensitive to this effect of methotrexate.

The mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis and in psoriasis is unknown.

Absorption

At doses of 30 mg/m2 or less, the mean bioavailability is approximately 60%. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 0.75 to 6 hours following oral administration. Methotrexate may undergo enterohepatic recirculation; however, this pathway has not been fully characterized.

Effect of Food

Food has been shown to delay absorption and reduce peak concentration.

Distribution

Methotrexate in serum is approximately 50% protein bound.

Methotrexate does not penetrate the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier at concentrations achieved with the recommended dosages.

Elimination

The elimination half-life of methotrexate is approximately 3 to 10 hours.

Small amounts of methotrexate polyglutamates may remain in tissues for extended periods. The retention and prolonged drug action of these active metabolites vary among different cells, tissues, and tumors.

Nonlinear elimination due to saturation of renal tubular reabsorption has been observed in studies of patients with psoriasis receiving methotrexate doses between 7.5 mg and 30 mg.

Metabolism

Methotrexate is partially metabolized by intestinal flora after oral administration.

Methotrexate primarily undergoes hepatic and intracellular metabolism to active polyglutamated forms which can be converted back to methotrexate by hydrolase enzymes. Methotrexate also undergoes minor metabolism to active 7-hydroxymethotrexate.

Excretion

Methotrexate primarily undergoes renal excretion by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion that is dependent upon dosage and route of administration.

Biliary excretion accounts for ≤10% of the methotrexate dose.

Specific Populations

The effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate is unknown.

Pediatric Patients

In pediatric patients with leukemia, oral absorption (23% to 95%) of methotrexate is variable and dose-dependent. The difference between highest and lowest peak methotrexate concentrations (Cmax 0.11 to 2.3 micromolar after a 20 mg/m2 dose) was 20-fold. The time to peak concentration (Tmax 0.67 to 4 hours after a 15 mg/m2 dose) and fraction of dose absorbed is variable. The absorption of doses greater than 40 mg/m2 is significantly less than that of lower doses.

In pediatric patients with pJIA, plasma concentrations of methotrexate are variable. Following oral administration of methotrexate 6.4 mg/m2/week to 11.2 mg/m2/week, mean serum concentrations were 0.59 micromolar (0.03 to 1.40) at 1 hour, 0.44 micromolar (0.01 to 1) at 2 hours, and 0.29 micromolar (0.06 to 0.58) at 3 hours.

In pediatric patients receiving methotrexate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6.3 mg/m2 to 30 mg/m2) or for JIA (3.75 mg/m2 to 26.2 mg/m2), the terminal half-life has been reported to range from 0.7 to 5.8 hours or from 0.9 to 2.3 hours, respectively.

Patients with Renal impairment

The elimination half-life of methotrexate is variable and increases with the severity of renal impairment.

Methotrexate has been evaluated in a number of animal studies for carcinogenic potential with inconclusive results. There is evidence that methotrexate causes chromosomal damage to animal somatic cells and human bone marrow cells.

1. "OSHA Hazardous Drugs." OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardousdrugs/index.html.

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "1. \"OSHA Hazardous Drugs.\" OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardousdrugs/index.html.\n" }

Product: 50090-5457

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Product: 50090-5457" }

NDC: 50090-5457-9 36 TABLET in a BOTTLE

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "NDC: 50090-5457-9 36 TABLET in a BOTTLE" }

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information). " }

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nEmbryo-Fetal Toxicity\n" }

{ "type": "ul", "children": [ "Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].", "Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 6 months after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].", "Advise males of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 3 months after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)]." ], "text": "" }

Hypersensitivity Reactions

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nHypersensitivity Reactions\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers of the potential risk of hypersensitivity and that methotrexate is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to methotrexate. Instruct patients to seek immediate medical attention for signs of a hypersensitivity reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers of the potential risk of hypersensitivity and that methotrexate is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to methotrexate. Instruct patients to seek immediate medical attention for signs of a hypersensitivity reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]." }

Myelosuppression and Serious Infections

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nMyelosuppression and Serious Infections\n" }

Inform patients and their caregivers that methotrexate can cause myelosuppression and the need for frequent monitoring of blood cell counts. Advise patients and their caregivers to immediately report new onset fever, symptoms of infection, easy bruising or persistent bleeding to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.11)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Inform patients and their caregivers that methotrexate can cause myelosuppression and the need for frequent monitoring of blood cell counts. Advise patients and their caregivers to immediately report new onset fever, symptoms of infection, easy bruising or persistent bleeding to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.11)]." }

Gastrointestinal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nGastrointestinal Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers to report new or worsening diarrhea, vomiting, or stomatitis to their healthcare provider. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, hematemesis, or melena [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers to report new or worsening diarrhea, vomiting, or stomatitis to their healthcare provider. Advise patients to immediately contact their healthcare provider for high fever, rigors, persistent or severe abdominal pain, severe constipation, hematemesis, or melena [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]." }

Hepatotoxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nHepatotoxicity\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers to report signs or symptoms of hepatic toxicity to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers to report signs or symptoms of hepatic toxicity to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]." }

Pulmonary Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nPulmonary Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers to report new or worsening cough, fever, or dyspnea to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers to report new or worsening cough, fever, or dyspnea to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]." }

Dermatologic Reactions

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nDermatologic Reactions\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers that methotrexate can cause serious skin rash and to immediately contact their healthcare provider for new or worsening skin rash. Advise patients and their caregivers to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun protection measures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers that methotrexate can cause serious skin rash and to immediately contact their healthcare provider for new or worsening skin rash. Advise patients and their caregivers to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun protection measures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]." }

Renal Toxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nRenal Toxicity\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers to immediately contact their healthcare provider for signs or symptoms of renal toxicity, such as marked increases or decreases in urinary output [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers to immediately contact their healthcare provider for signs or symptoms of renal toxicity, such as marked increases or decreases in urinary output [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]." }

Risk of Serious Adverse Reactions with Medication Error

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nRisk of Serious Adverse Reactions with Medication Error\n" }

For patients who are prescribed a once weekly dosing regimen, advise patients and caregivers that the recommended dosage is to be taken once weekly as a single dose and that mistakenly taking the recommended weekly dosage once daily has led to fatal adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "For patients who are prescribed a once weekly dosing regimen, advise patients and caregivers that the recommended dosage is to be taken once weekly as a single dose and that mistakenly taking the recommended weekly dosage once daily has led to fatal adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]." }

Neurotoxicity

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nNeurotoxicity\n" }

Advise patients and their caregivers to report new neurological signs or symptoms to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and their caregivers to report new neurological signs or symptoms to their healthcare provider [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)]." }

Secondary Malignancies

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nSecondary Malignancies\n" }

Advise patients on the risk of second primary malignancies during treatment with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients on the risk of second primary malignancies during treatment with methotrexate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)]." }

Lactation

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nLactation\n" }

Instruct women not to breastfeed during treatment with methotrexate and for 1 week after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Instruct women not to breastfeed during treatment with methotrexate and for 1 week after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)]." }

Infertility

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nInfertility\n" }

Advise females and males of reproductive potential that methotrexate may impair fertility [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16), Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise females and males of reproductive potential that methotrexate may impair fertility [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16), Use in Specific Populations (8.3)]." }

Drug Interactions

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "\nDrug Interactions\n" }

Advise patients and caregivers to inform their healthcare provider of all concomitant medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products [see Drug Interactions (7)].

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Advise patients and caregivers to inform their healthcare provider of all concomitant medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products [see Drug Interactions (7)]." }

Dispense with Patient Package Insert available at: www.tevausa.com/PatientPI

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Dispense with Patient Package Insert available at: www.tevausa.com/PatientPI" }

Manufactured In Czech Republic By: Teva Czech Industries, s.r.o. Opava-Komarov, Czech Republic

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manufactured In Czech Republic By: \nTeva Czech Industries, s.r.o.\nOpava-Komarov, Czech Republic" }

Manufactured For: Teva Pharmaceuticals Parsippany, NJ 07054

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Manufactured For: \nTeva Pharmaceuticals \nParsippany, NJ 07054" }

Rev. E 8/2023

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Rev. E 8/2023" }

Dispense with Patient Package Insert available at: www.tevausa.com/PatientPI

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "Dispense with Patient Package Insert available at: www.tevausa.com/PatientPI" }

<div class="scrollingtable"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="847.667px"> <col/> <col/> <col/> <col/> <col/> <tbody class="Headless"> <tr class="First"> <td class="Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">                                                                                                             PATIENT INFORMATION</span><span class="Bold"> <br/>                                                                                                Methotrexate (meth" oh trex' ate) Tablets</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Methotrexate tablets can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death</span>, including:</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby</span>. <span class="Bold">Females who can become pregnant:</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking methotrexate tablets to see if you are pregnant.</li> </ul> <ul class="Circle"> <li> <span class="Bold">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not take methotrexate tablets if you are pregnant. See “Who should not take methotrexate tablets?”</span> </li> <li>If you are taking methotrexate tablets to treat your cancer<span class="Bold">, </span>you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will take methotrexate tablets if you are pregnant.</li> <li>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for <span class="Bold">6 </span>months after your final dose of methotrexate tablets. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:</span> </p> <ul class="Circle"> <li>Use effective birth control during treatment and for <span class="Bold">3 </span>months after your final dose of methotrexate tablets.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Severe allergic reactions. </span>Severe allergic reactions can happen with methotrexate tablets. Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>skin rash, itching and hives</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>fast heart rate</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>feeling faint</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>dizziness</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>stomach-area pain</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>trouble breathing</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>vomiting or diarrhea</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>wheezing</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Do not </span>take methotrexate tablets if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate tablets in the past.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Get medical help right away </span>if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction listed above.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Decreased blood cell counts. </span>Methotrexate tablets can affect your bone marrow and cause decreases in red blood counts, white blood cell counts, and platelets that can be severe and life-threatening.</p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts when you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following:</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>a new fever</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>symptoms of infection</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop (persistent bleeding)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Severe stomach and intestine problems (gastrointestinal) problems.</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and mouth sores can happen in people who take methotrexate tablets.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">Inflammation of the intestine with severe bleeding and a tear in the intestinal wall (perforation) have happened with methotrexate tablets and cause death.</span> </li> <li>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a greater risk of developing severe stomach or intestine problems with methotrexate tablets. <p class="First">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening diarrhea, vomiting, or mouth sores during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop high fever, shaking chills (rigors), pain in your stomach- area (abdomen) that will not go away or is severe, severe constipation, if you are vomiting blood or have blood in your stools.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Liver problems. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">In people with psoriasis </span>who take methotrexate tablets, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases as with the amount of methotrexate tablets that you take over time.</li> <li>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of liver problems </span>during treatment with methotrexate tablets, including:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>tiredness</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>swelling in your legs, feet or ankles</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>easy bleeding or bruising</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>weight loss</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>loss of appetite</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>itchy skin</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>nausea</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="2"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>difficulty thinking clearly</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule" colspan="3"> <ul class="Disc"> <li>weakness</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Lung problems. </span>Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with methotrexate tablets or they can develop over a long period- of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms including: cough (especially a dry cough), fever, or trouble breathing.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Severe skin reactions. </span>Severe skin reactions can happen with methotrexate tablets and can lead to death.</p> <ul class="Disc"> <li> <span class="Bold">In people with psoriasis</span>: Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light.</li> <li>Methotrexate tablets can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall dermatitis) and cause sunburn to come back (photodermatitis).</li> </ul> <p>Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with methotrexate tablets. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away about any new or worsening skin rash during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Kidney problems. Kidney problems can happen with methotrexate tablets, including kidney failure which can happen suddenly (acute) and may not go away (irreversible).</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First">Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function before you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away </span>if you have any signs or symptoms of kidney problems, including:</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>a big change (either increase or decrease) in the amount of urine</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>shortness of breath</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <p class="First">you produce</p> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>tiredness</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Rrule Toprule" colspan="4"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>swelling in your legs, ankles or feet</li> </ul> </td><td class="Botrule Lrule Toprule"> <ul class="Circle"> <li>weight gain</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Botrule Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First">See “<span class="Bold">What are the possible side effects of methotrexate tablets” </span>for more information about side effects.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What is methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <p>Methotrexate tablets is a prescription medicine used:</p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines in adults and children, for maintenance treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)</li> <li>to treat adults with mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)</li> <li>in combination with other therapies to treat adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or did not respond to previous treatment (refractory)</li> <li>to treat adults with rheumatoid arthritis</li> <li>to treat children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</li> <li>to treat adults with severe psoriasis</li> </ul> <p>It is not known if methotrexate tablets are safe and effective in treating children with any disease other than ALL as part of a combination regimen used for maintenance therapy of their cancer, and for the treatment of pJIA.</p> <p>It is not known if methotrexate tablets are safe in people with liver problems.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Do not take methotrexate tablets if you:</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>are pregnant and are being treated or will be treated with methotrexate tablets for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis or for any disease other than cancer). Methotrexate tablets can cause harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See “<span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?</span>”</li> <li>have or had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate tablets in the past. See “<span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?”</span> See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in methotrexate tablets.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Before taking methotrexate tablets tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>have problems swallowing tablets </li> <li>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</li> <li>have liver problems</li> <li>drink alcohol-containing beverages and, during treatment with methotrexate tablets, if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</li> <li>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</li> <li>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</li> <li>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</li> <li>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</li> <li>have ulcerative colitis</li> <li>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li> <li>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of methotrexate tablets.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,</span> including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Methotrexate tablets and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects. Do not start or change any medicines unless you have talked to your doctor and your doctor has told you it is safe. Know all the medicines that you take and keep a list of them with you at all times to show doctors and pharmacists<span class="Bold">.</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">How should I take methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li> <span class="Bold">Take methotrexate tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.</span> Your dose of methotrexate tablets and when you take it will depend on the condition that is being treated. </li> </ul> <ul class="Circle"> <li> <span class="Bold">Do not</span> take more methotrexate tablets than prescribed. Do not change your dose of methotrexate tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">Taking more methotrexate tablets than prescribed or taking methotrexate tablets more often than prescribed, can lead to severe side effects and cause death.</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">If you take too much methotrexate tablets call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death.</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">If you miss taking a dose of methotrexate tablets, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to take your next dose of methotrexate tablets.</span> </li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">If you are taking methotrexate tablets for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li> <span class="Bold">Take your methotrexate tablets dose 1 time each week, not every day. Severe side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken methotrexate tablets every day instead of 1 time each week.</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Take a folic acid or folinic acid supplement every day during treatment with methotrexate tablets, </span>as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores. <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">If you are taking methotrexate tablets to treat your cancer:</span> </p> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about how much methotrexate tablets to take and when to take it.</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid </span>during treatment with methotrexate tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with methotrexate tablets may make your methotrexate treatment less effective.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What are the possible side effects of methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <p>Methotrexate tablets can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death including: </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>See “<span class="Bold">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets”?</span> </li> <li> <span class="Bold">Serious infections. </span>People who take methotrexate tablets have an increased risk of developing infections that can be life- threatening or cause death. These infections may include: bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, including Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation), tuberculosis infection that may be new or reactivation, and Herpes zoster or cytomegalovirus (CMV) that spreads throughout the body (disseminated). <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new fever or if you have any symptoms of infection during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span> </p> </li> <li> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (irreversible), and can cause death. The risk for a certain nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head (cranial radiation) in the past.</p> <p>Tell your healthcare provider about any new nervous system symptoms that you develop during treatment with Methotrexate.</p> </li> <li> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">Secondary cancers. </span>Secondary (new) cancers can happen in people who take methotrexate tablets.</p> </li> </ul> <ul class="Circle"> <li>In people with psoriasis, the risk of new skin cancers is increased with methotrexate tablets and further increased if you take the medicine cyclosporine after receiving treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li> <li>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with methotrexate tablets. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after methotrexate tablets are stopped.</li> </ul> <ul class="Disc"> <li> <span class="Bold">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). </span>TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving methotrexate tablets as a cancer treatment.</li> <li> <span class="Bold">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause fertility problems in males and females, and can cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. Males may not be able to father a child. Females may not be able to become pregnant. It is not known if your fertility may return. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you.</li> </ul> <p>The most common side effects of methotrexate tablets include:</p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>mouth sores</li> <li>low white blood cells. <span class="Bold">See “What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?”</span> </li> <li>nausea, upset stomach</li> </ul> <p>These are not all the side effects of methotrexate tablets. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.</p> <p>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">How should I store methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <ul class="Disc"> <li>Store methotrexate tablets at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).</li> <li>Keep methotrexate tablets away from light.</li> </ul> <p> <span class="Bold">Keep methotrexate tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.</span> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">General information about the safe and effective use of methotrexate tablets.</span> </p> <p>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use methotrexate tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give methotrexate tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about methotrexate tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about methotrexate tablets that is written for healthcare professionals.</p> </td> </tr> <tr class="Last"> <td class="Toprule" colspan="5"> <p class="First"> <span class="Bold">What are the ingredients in methotrexate tablets?</span> </p> <p> <span class="Bold">Active Ingredient</span>: methotrexate</p> <p> <span class="Bold">Inactive Ingredients</span>: anhydrous lactose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, propylene glycol, sodium carbonate monohydrate, and talc.</p> <p>Manufactured In Czech Republic By: <span class="Bold">Teva Czech Industries, s.r.o., </span>Opava-Komarov, Czech Republic</p> <p>Manufactured For: <span class="Bold">Teva P</span><span class="Bold">harmaceuticals</span><span class="Bold">, </span>Parsippany, NJ 07054</p> <p>For additional information contact Teva Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-838-2872.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div>

{ "type": "table", "children": [], "text": "<div class=\"scrollingtable\"><table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"847.667px\">\n<col/>\n<col/>\n<col/>\n<col/>\n<col/>\n<tbody class=\"Headless\">\n<tr class=\"First\">\n<td class=\"Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">                                                                                                             PATIENT INFORMATION</span><span class=\"Bold\">\n<br/>\n                                                                                                Methotrexate (meth\" oh trex' ate) Tablets</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Methotrexate tablets can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death</span>, including:</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby</span>. <span class=\"Bold\">Females who can become pregnant:</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start taking methotrexate tablets to see if you are pregnant.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are being treated for a medical condition other than cancer, do not take methotrexate tablets if you are pregnant. See “Who should not take methotrexate tablets?”</span>\n</li>\n<li>If you are taking methotrexate tablets to treat your cancer<span class=\"Bold\">, </span>you and your healthcare provider will decide if you will take methotrexate tablets if you are pregnant.</li>\n<li>Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for <span class=\"Bold\">6 </span>months after your final dose of methotrexate tablets. Ask your healthcare provider what forms of birth control you can use during this time.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>Use effective birth control during treatment and for <span class=\"Bold\">3 </span>months after your final dose of methotrexate tablets.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if your female partner becomes pregnant during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe allergic reactions. </span>Severe allergic reactions can happen with methotrexate tablets. Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may include:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>skin rash, itching and hives</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>fast heart rate</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>feeling faint</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>dizziness</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>stomach-area pain</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>trouble breathing</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>vomiting or diarrhea</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>wheezing</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\"></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not </span>take methotrexate tablets if you have had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate tablets in the past.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Get medical help right away </span>if you develop any of the signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction listed above.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Decreased blood cell counts. </span>Methotrexate tablets can affect your bone marrow and cause decreases in red blood counts, white blood cell counts, and platelets that can be severe and life-threatening.</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>Your healthcare provider will check your blood cell counts when you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following:</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>a new fever</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>symptoms of infection</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>Easy bruising or bleeding that will not stop (persistent bleeding)</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe stomach and intestine problems (gastrointestinal) problems.</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and mouth sores can happen in people who take methotrexate tablets.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Inflammation of the intestine with severe bleeding and a tear in the intestinal wall (perforation) have happened with methotrexate tablets and cause death.</span>\n</li>\n<li>People who have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease) or ulcerative colitis (UC) have a greater risk of developing severe stomach or intestine problems with methotrexate tablets.\n <p class=\"First\">Tell your healthcare provider if you develop new or worsening diarrhea, vomiting, or mouth sores during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop high fever, shaking chills (rigors), pain in your stomach- area (abdomen) that will not go away or is severe, severe constipation, if you are vomiting blood or have blood in your stools.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Liver problems. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause severe liver problems including liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and liver failure that may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In people with psoriasis </span>who take methotrexate tablets, liver fibrosis or cirrhosis may happen without any symptoms or abnormal liver tests. The risk for liver problems in people with psoriasis increases as with the amount of methotrexate tablets that you take over time.</li>\n<li>Your healthcare provider will do tests to monitor your liver function before you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of liver problems </span>during treatment with methotrexate tablets, including:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>tiredness</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>swelling in your legs, feet or ankles</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>easy bleeding or bruising</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>weight loss</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>loss of appetite</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>itchy skin</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>nausea</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"2\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>difficulty thinking clearly</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\" colspan=\"3\">\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>weakness</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Lung problems. </span>Lung problems can happen suddenly (acute) with methotrexate tablets or they can develop over a long period- of-time (chronic). Lung problems may not get better (possibly irreversible) and can cause death.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms including: cough (especially a dry cough), fever, or trouble breathing.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Severe skin reactions. </span>Severe skin reactions can happen with methotrexate tablets and can lead to death.</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">In people with psoriasis</span>: Your psoriasis may get worse if you are exposed to sunlight or other types of ultraviolet light.</li>\n<li>Methotrexate tablets can cause reactivation of skin reactions that can happen after radiation therapy (radiation recall dermatitis) and cause sunburn to come back (photodermatitis).</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Limit sunlight exposure during treatment with methotrexate tablets. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away about any new or worsening skin rash during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Kidney problems. Kidney problems can happen with methotrexate tablets, including kidney failure which can happen suddenly (acute) and may not go away (irreversible).</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">Your healthcare provider will check your kidney function before you start and during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away </span>if you have any signs or symptoms of kidney problems, including:</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>a big change (either increase or decrease) in the amount of urine</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>shortness of breath</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<p class=\"First\">you produce</p>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>tiredness</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Rrule Toprule\" colspan=\"4\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>swelling in your legs, ankles or feet</li>\n</ul>\n</td><td class=\"Botrule Lrule Toprule\">\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>weight gain</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Botrule Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">See “<span class=\"Bold\">What are the possible side effects of methotrexate tablets” </span>for more information about side effects.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What is methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<p>Methotrexate tablets is a prescription medicine used:</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>in combination with other chemotherapy medicines in adults and children, for maintenance treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)</li>\n<li>to treat adults with mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)</li>\n<li>in combination with other therapies to treat adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or did not respond to previous treatment (refractory)</li>\n<li>to treat adults with rheumatoid arthritis</li>\n<li>to treat children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA)</li>\n<li>to treat adults with severe psoriasis</li>\n</ul>\n<p>It is not known if methotrexate tablets are safe and effective in treating children with any disease other than ALL as part of a combination regimen used for maintenance therapy of their cancer, and for the treatment of pJIA.</p>\n<p>It is not known if methotrexate tablets are safe in people with liver problems.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not take methotrexate tablets if you:</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>are pregnant and are being treated or will be treated with methotrexate tablets for rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, or severe psoriasis or for any disease other than cancer). Methotrexate tablets can cause harm to an unborn baby, including birth defects or death of an unborn baby. See “<span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?</span>”</li>\n<li>have or had a severe allergic reaction to methotrexate tablets in the past. See “<span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?”</span> See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in methotrexate tablets.</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Before taking methotrexate tablets tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>have problems swallowing tablets </li>\n<li>have kidney problems or are receiving dialysis treatments</li>\n<li>have liver problems</li>\n<li>drink alcohol-containing beverages and, during treatment with methotrexate tablets, if there are any changes in the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink</li>\n<li>have fluid in your stomach-area (ascites)</li>\n<li>have lung problems or fluid in your lungs (pleural effusion)</li>\n<li>plan to have any surgeries with general anesthesia, including dental surgery</li>\n<li>have stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)</li>\n<li>have ulcerative colitis</li>\n<li>have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li>\n<li>are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Methotrexate may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of methotrexate tablets.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,</span> including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Methotrexate tablets and certain other medicines can affect each other and cause serious side effects. Do not start or change any medicines unless you have talked to your doctor and your doctor has told you it is safe. Know all the medicines that you take and keep a list of them with you at all times to show doctors and pharmacists<span class=\"Bold\">.</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">How should I take methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Take methotrexate tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.</span> Your dose of methotrexate tablets and when you take it will depend on the condition that is being treated. </li>\n</ul>\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not</span> take more methotrexate tablets than prescribed. Do not change your dose of methotrexate tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Taking more methotrexate tablets than prescribed or taking methotrexate tablets more often than prescribed, can lead to severe side effects and cause death.</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you take too much methotrexate tablets call your healthcare provider or go to your nearest hospital emergency room right way. You will need to receive a medicine as soon as possible to help reduce side effects that could be severe and could cause death.</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you miss taking a dose of methotrexate tablets, call your healthcare provider for instructions about when to take your next dose of methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are taking methotrexate tablets for treatment of severe psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Take your methotrexate tablets dose 1 time each week, not every day. Severe side effects and death have happened in people who mistakenly have taken methotrexate tablets every day instead of 1 time each week.</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Take a folic acid or folinic acid supplement every day during treatment with methotrexate tablets, </span>as instructed by your healthcare provider, to help reduce the chance of developing certain side effects, such as mouth sores.\n <p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">If you are taking methotrexate tablets to treat your cancer:</span>\n</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about how much methotrexate tablets to take and when to take it.</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Do not take folic acid or folinic acid </span>during treatment with methotrexate tablets unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Taking folic acid or folinic acid with methotrexate tablets may make your methotrexate treatment less effective.</li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What are the possible side effects of methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<p>Methotrexate tablets can cause serious side effects that may be severe and lead to death including: </p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>See “<span class=\"Bold\">What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets”?</span>\n</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Serious infections. </span>People who take methotrexate tablets have an increased risk of developing infections that can be life- threatening or cause death. These infections may include: bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, including Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B infection that comes back (reactivation), tuberculosis infection that may be new or reactivation, and Herpes zoster or cytomegalovirus (CMV) that spreads throughout the body (disseminated).\n <p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop a new fever or if you have any symptoms of infection during treatment with methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Brain and spinal cord (nervous system) problems. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause nervous system problems that can be severe and last for a short time or last for a long time. These nervous system problems can get progressively worse, may not get better (irreversible), and can cause death. The risk for a certain nervous system problem called leukoencephalopathy is increased in people who have had radiation treatment to their head (cranial radiation) in the past.</p>\n<p>Tell your healthcare provider about any new nervous system symptoms that you develop during treatment with Methotrexate.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">Secondary cancers. </span>Secondary (new) cancers can happen in people who take methotrexate tablets.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<ul class=\"Circle\">\n<li>In people with psoriasis, the risk of new skin cancers is increased with methotrexate tablets and further increased if you take the medicine cyclosporine after receiving treatment with methotrexate tablets.</li>\n<li>Certain blood cancers can happen during treatment with methotrexate tablets. In some cases, these blood cancers may completely go away (regress completely) after methotrexate tablets are stopped.</li>\n</ul>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). </span>TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS if you are receiving methotrexate tablets as a cancer treatment.</li>\n<li>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Possible fertility problems (infertility) in males and females. </span>Methotrexate tablets can cause fertility problems in males and females, and can cause sperm production to stop in males, and menstrual problems in females. Males may not be able to father a child. Females may not be able to become pregnant. It is not known if your fertility may return. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for infertility if this is a concern for you.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>The most common side effects of methotrexate tablets include:</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>mouth sores</li>\n<li>low white blood cells. <span class=\"Bold\">See “What is the most important information I should know about methotrexate tablets?”</span>\n</li>\n<li>nausea, upset stomach</li>\n</ul>\n<p>These are not all the side effects of methotrexate tablets. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.</p>\n<p>Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">How should I store methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<ul class=\"Disc\">\n<li>Store methotrexate tablets at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).</li>\n<li>Keep methotrexate tablets away from light.</li>\n</ul>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Keep methotrexate tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.</span>\n</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">General information about the safe and effective use of methotrexate tablets.</span>\n</p>\n<p>Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use methotrexate tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give methotrexate tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about methotrexate tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about methotrexate tablets that is written for healthcare professionals.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr class=\"Last\">\n<td class=\"Toprule\" colspan=\"5\">\n<p class=\"First\">\n<span class=\"Bold\">What are the ingredients in methotrexate tablets?</span>\n</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Active Ingredient</span>: methotrexate</p>\n<p>\n<span class=\"Bold\">Inactive Ingredients</span>: anhydrous lactose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, propylene glycol, sodium carbonate monohydrate, and talc.</p>\n<p>Manufactured In Czech Republic By: <span class=\"Bold\">Teva Czech Industries, s.r.o., </span>Opava-Komarov, Czech Republic</p>\n<p>Manufactured For: <span class=\"Bold\">Teva P</span><span class=\"Bold\">harmaceuticals</span><span class=\"Bold\">, </span>Parsippany, NJ 07054</p>\n<p>For additional information contact Teva Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-838-2872.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table></div>" }

This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.                                                  Rev. B 8/2023

{ "type": "p", "children": [], "text": "This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.                                                  Rev. B 8/2023" }