Get Informed: Abitrexate
Active Ingredient(s)
Methotrexate
What does it do?
This product is used primarily in the treatment of cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. It works by interfering with DNA synthesis, repair, and replication which primarily affects rapidly changing cells.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-21 1:43 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Methotrexate
- Abitrexate
- Trexall
- Rheumatrex
- Maxtrex
- Metoject
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- X
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its risks in pregnancy, its potentially fatal toxicities of lung, liver, skin, and GI systems, its increased risk of secondary lymphoma and opportunistic infections.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 05 Sep 1979
- Est US Patients*
- 989,800
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Abitrexate or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Abitrexate
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Abitrexate during the past year.
Abitrexate Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Abitrexate interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Abitrexate used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 6,500 patients that use Abitrexate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 72% | 
|
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 15% |
|
| Psoriasis | 6% |
|
| Lupus | 4% |
|
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | 4% |
|
| Dry Mouth | 2% | 
|
| Sjogren's Syndrome | 2% |
|
| Polymyositis | 2% |
|
| Dry Eyes | 2% |
|
| Other | 6% | 
|
How well does Abitrexate work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,500 users taking Abitrexate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Abitrexate outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Abitrexate.
Common Side Effects of Abitrexate
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,500 users taking Abitrexate (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
43% of patients experience side-effects on Abitrexate
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Abitrexate
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
Mouth Sores
-
Fatigue
-
Hair Loss
-
Headache
-
Heartburn/Reflux
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Drowsiness
-
Altered Taste/Smell
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Breathlessness, Bruising, Dental Problems, Diarrhea, Dizziness, FLU-Like Symptoms, Itch/Rash, Light Sensitivity, Liver Problems, Loss of Appetite, Nasal/Sinus Congestion, Restlessness
Global Patient Feedback for Abitrexate (Methotrexate) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
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33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-21 04:10:46
Question/Comment:
I just started methotrexate for arthritis and psoriatic arthritis,etc. I have had a great deal of connective tissue issues (was previously diagnosed with Lupus), which the methotrexate seems to have helped tremendously.
My Aunt was taking the methotrexate for the same issues, and originally she was injecting. When she changed doctors, she went to the oral version. She said she was having issues with the oral methotrexate interfering with estratest; however, the injections did not. Any thoughts on this?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-10 15:10:40
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are a few things to consider. An injection is much less convenient versus an oral dose. Having syringes and self injecting a medication may pose a challenge for some patients.
There was a published study done in 2008 that showed arthritic patients who took a methotrexate injection for 24 weeks (15 mg weekly) reported it was more effective than oral administration of methotrexate at the same dosage, with no increase in side effects. At 24 weeks, the percentage of patients with a positive response was significantly higher in the group receiving methotrexate injection (78%) than in the group receiving oral methotrexate (70%).
Typically injectable medications will not interfere with oral medications and that may be an advantage for some patients.
You should discuss the benefits versus risk in your situation with your doctor.
Posted: 2010-02-11 21:07:54
Question/Comment:
I am taking methotrexat 3 years already for mild psoriatic arthritis and also disothiazid and enalapril for hypertension.
I became anaemic in the last 2 month with some lymphopenia and normal leucocytes count. I have no occult blood in stool,and my urine is normal. Is there an indication to stop methotrexat or disothiazid? (Now I take only 7.5 mg. methotrexat).
80 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-26 05:01:54
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The decision to stop the methotrexate or disothiazide is up to your physician and determined by bloodwork. Your doctor may want to initiate an iron supplement. Your physican will weigh your lab values against how well your psoriatic arthritis is clearing up.
Posted: 2010-01-31 15:18:42
Question/Comment:
I am on methatrexate for RA in pill form. What are the benefits of the shot vs pills ? Is it better on your stomach as I have problems with it upsetting my stomach
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-07 12:41:18
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Methotrexate injection is not as convenient to take when compared to an oral pill. The injection requires filling a syringe and self injecting the medication at the correct angle and in the correct location. There was a recent clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness and risk of oral methotrexate versus the injection form. The results showed that the patients in the study reported increased effectiveness with the injection versus the same comparable oral dose. There was not an increase in the side effects between the two forms.
In your case, the injection may minimize some of the local stomach pain and upset. You should discuss the options with your doctor.
Posted: 2010-01-07 22:17:21
Answer/Reply:
I have done both the shot and pill. The shot still has some of the side effects, but at least for me the dose was lower because the shot gets absorbed into your blood stream better since it doesn't have to go to your stomach. I haven't had much trouble with the pills side effects, but I find that I don't notice them as much if I take the dose about an hour before bed. I seem to sleep off the side effect. If you don't have a problem with needles I would try the shot and if it helps you.
28 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-23 13:25:06
Answer/Reply:
Hi, I self-inject the methotrexate with very few side-effects. During a vacation, I used the pills one week instead of the injection. I had SEVERE mouth sores from the pills. My physician told me that people often have more side effects issues from the pills than the injections. You might want to switch :)
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-09 15:24:14
Question/Comment:
My Dr says I have RA Lung Fibrosis but my RF tested negative. I don't have joint problems but he says it is possible to have RA in the lungs (or any other connective tissue) without joint problems. I suspect that the lung fibrosis was caused by the methotrexate which I was on together with pulmison for Asthma. I also have osteoporosis attributed by predisone. Any out there have similar problems.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-29 00:06:39
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146
Patient Comments about
Abitrexate