Overview

Methotrexate is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant.

Immunosuppressants help to calm or control your body's immune system. Your immune system fights infections, but sometimes it mistakenly attacks your body’s healthy cells. This causes long-term inflammation and skin conditions.

Methotrexate can be taken as a tablet or an injection. Your doctor has recommended that methotrexate injections are the best method for you.

This injection is a pre-filled auto-injector, similar to an EpiPen^® or insulin injection. The methotrexate injection we’ve prescribed for you is called the Metoject^® PEN.

Benefits of methotrexate

Using methotrexate can help reduce the inflammation caused by conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Methotrexate is not a painkiller, but you might feel less pain because you have less inflammation.

It cannot cure your condition completely but it can help keep your symptoms under control. You might need to keep taking it for a few years.

Who can take methotrexate

Most people can take methotrexate.

You might not be able to take methotrexate if you:

• have problems with your kidneys, lungs, liver or bone marrow
• have an infection
• are not immune to the virus that causes chickenpox or shingles (varicella zoster)
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding

Before you start treatment, we’ll do some tests to make sure you can take methotrexate safely. You might need to have:

• a chest X-ray
• a breathing test
• a pregnancy test
• a test for infections
• blood tests

If you’re taking methotrexate tablets

Your doctor will explain to you how to stop taking methotrexate tablets and change to methotrexate injections instead.

Do not take any methotrexate tablets for at least 7 days before having your first injection.

You'll have extra blood tests for the first 2 weeks of your new treatment. This is to make sure the injections do not have any negative effects on your blood counts, liver or kidneys.

If you’re taking other medicines

Some medicines and supplements affect the way methotrexate works.

Tell your doctor if you take any:

• medicines prescribed by a GP
• medicines you buy from a pharmacy or shop
• vitamins or supplements
• herbal or homeopathic medicines

Bring all your medicines and supplements to your appointment. You should also bring any lists of medicines you’re taking, such as a GP repeat prescription form.

Read the leaflet that comes with your medicine for more information on taking other medicines with methotrexate.