How to Use Methotrexate to Treat Arthritis

Methotrexate is a powerful remittive agent used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Originally developed as a chemotherapy drug and still used for that purpose, physicians are not sure exactly how methotrexate works to treat arthritis. However, the results are clear: it often helps ease symptoms in patients. In fact, methotrexate has been known to put rheumatoid arthritis into remission in some sufferers. It is a strong drug with many potential side effects. However, its benefits may outweigh its drawbacks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 8 oz. glass of water
• Prescription for methotrexate
• Regular dosage schedule

Use Methotrexate to Treat Arthritis

1. Get a prescription for methotrexate from your doctor.
2. Use methotrexate exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Your dosage will vary according to the severity of your arthritis and your past responses to other medications. You may start out with a higher dose and gradually move to a lower dose. Methotrexate is typically taken once a week, but could be taken more often, depending on your doctor's orders.
3. Avoid doubling up on methotrexate if you miss a dose. Taking too much could cause serious medical complications that could be life threatening. If you miss a dose, just take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time.
4. Drink a full 8 oz. glass of water when you take your methotrexate.
5. Take your methotrexate on a regular schedule. This drug needs to build up in your system before you start seeing any benefits from it. If you are erratic with your dosing, it won't have time to accumulate sufficiently in order to help you.

Tips & Warnings

• Methotrexate is also available as an injection you give yourself at home. Like the oral form, injectable methotrexate requires a regular dosing schedule and should never be administered in amounts higher than those prescribed by your doctor.
• If your doctor thinks injectable methotrexate would be best for you, she will teach you how to administer the injections. You'll learn to do this at the doctor's office before you ever take the medication home.
• Do not take methotrexate if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Methotrexate can cause serious birth defects in an unborn child. It is also sometimes used to induce abortion, so your chances of miscarriage increase tremendously while taking this drug.
• When you use methotrexate, you'll require periodic blood tests. These tests are to make sure the methotrexate is not negatively affecting your liver and to monitor for any unseen side effects.