What is Trexall used for?

Trexall is an oral tablet consisting of an antimetabolite called methotrexate. We carry the generic alternative of Trexall, called methotrexate, in 10mg!

Trexall is a breast, skin, and head and neck cancer treatment. All these types of cancers are similar in the way that they begin. Breast cancer occurs when healthy breast cells start to mutate and change. This may be caused partially from genes (passed on from your parents) and partially from environmental factors (such as what you eat and if you exercise). Skin cancer also occurs due to the actions of cells; it occurs when the cells that make up your skin begin to reproduce abnormally, which can eventually spread to other areas of the body. Skin cancer is caused primarily by environmental factors and beyond-control factors such as spending excessive time in the sun or tanning beds, whether you live in a warm or high elevation location (environmental causes) or due to having light skin, eyes, and/or hair, or aging (beyond-control factors).  Head and neck cancer is very much like skin cancer; it begins when cells located in the head and neck begin to grow out of control and over-crowd normal cells. This makes it harder for the body to function and allows the cells/cancer to spread. Similar to skin cancer, the causes of this type of cancer are mixed between things you can control and things you cannot. This includes factors such as tobacco and alcohol use and poor nutrition (environmental factors) as well as gender, age, and certain illness (beyond-control factors).

Trexall (methotrexate) is effective at treating certain types of cancer because methotrexate is able to interfere with the growth of certain cells inside the body. Methotrexate’s affect is extra effective when it comes to fast-reproducing cells, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells.

Additionally, Trexall can be used for the treatment of psoriasis and certain forms of rheumatoid. These two conditions are also caused by certain actions of certain cells.

Use this medication exactly the way it has been prescribed to you. Prescription labels usually have the directions written on them. You will need your blood tested often while being treated with this medication.

This tablet is taken once or twice per week, not daily, in some cases. You must ensure you are taking the correct dose at the correct time. There have been fatal situations leading to death caused by using this drug every day when it was only needed once or twice a week.

Store tablets at room temperature in a low risk area of heat and moisture.

Do not use Trexall (methotrexate)

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to methotrexate.

Do not use this medication for the treatment of psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you also have alcoholism, cirrhosis, or chronic liver disease, low blood cell counts, a weak immune system or bone marrow disorder, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

To ensure this medication is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney or lung disease, any type of infection, or radiation treatments.

Risks

Whether it’s the father or the mother, using this medication can cause harm to an unborn child or birth defects once the unborn child is born.

You may find this medication affects fertility.  

Common side effects of Trexall (methotrexate) may include:

fever, chills, tiredness, not feeling well; mouth sores; nausea, upset stomach; dizziness; or abnormal liver function tests.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Trexall (methotrexate) may include:

fever, chills, swollen lymph glands, night sweats, weight loss; vomiting, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; diarrhea, blood in your urine or stools; dry cough, cough with mucus, stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath; seizure (convulsions);

kidney problems - little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles;

liver problems - stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

nerve problems - confusion, weakness, drowsiness, coordination problems, feeling irritable, headache, neck stiffness, vision problems, loss of movement in any part of your body; or

signs of tumor cell breakdown - confusion, tiredness, numbness or tingling, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, fast or slow heart rate, seizure.

If you have any of the above side effects or signs of complications, contact your doctor right away.

Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.

What is Methotrexate?

Methotrexate is the active ingredient found inside Trexall, a brand-name prescription medication. It belongs to the drug class called antimetabolites and is used as treatment for conditions such as certain types of cancer (such as breast, skin, and head and neck cancer) and for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Each Trexall tablet contains 10mg of Methotrexate, which can be purchased with a valid prescription at My Drug Center as the generic alternative.

How does Methotrexate work?

The conditions that Methotrexate is used for all have one thing in common; they are caused by actions of certain cells in the body. When it comes to conditions like breast or skin cancer, the cancer cells need to continuously create and repair DNA cells in order to progress and multiply in the body; this is known as cell division. Methotrexate works by interfering with the DNA so they cannot be used for cell division. If the cancerous cells cannot use the DNA to divide and multiply, it will slow, and even sometimes stop, the growth of the cancer cells. Methotrexate works similar for arthritic conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis; the inflammation of these conditions are caused by the actions of certain cells in the body, which Methotrexate has the ability to interfere with, which reduces the inflammation and all subsequent symptoms.

What are the most common side effects of Methotrexate?

The most common side effects of Methotrexate include fever, chills, tiredness, not feeling well, mouth sores, nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, or abnormal liver function tests. You may experience one or a combination of these side effects, you may experience side effects not listed here, or you may not have side effects at all. Side effects commonly go away over a short period of time and should not alarm you; however, if they persist and do not go away over time, or if they become unmanageable, you may want to consult your doctor.

How long does Methotrexate stay in your system?

The amount of time a drug stays present in the body for can be estimated using the drugs half-life; it will typically take a medication about 5 (give or take) half-lives to clear the system. Methotrexate has an average half-life ranging between 3-10 hours; therefore, it will take up to a maximum of about 50 hours to clear the system following your last dose. Keep in mind, there are many factors which will affect the amount of time this drug stays present in the body for; the drug may take a longer or shorter amount of time to clear your system.

What type of drug is Methotrexate?

All drugs are divided into specific drugs classes based off the drugs mechanism of action; based off their certain effects, there may be other classifications for the drug as well. For example, Methotrexate belongs to the drug class called antimetabolites; drugs in this group affect DNA synthesis. Methotrexate can also be considered a chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant. It can be considered a chemotherapy agent because it affects rapidly growing cells and an immune system suppressant because it can suppress the strength of the immune system.

How to take Methotrexate?

Take this medication exactly the way it has been prescribed to you by your doctor. It is very important you understand how your doctor has directed you to use this medication. It is often taken once or twice throughout the week; taking this medication daily when it has been prescribed as a weekly medication can cause serious and sometimes fatal effects. To take your Trexall dose, swallow the tablet whole, ensuring you do not crush or chew it.

Why take folic acid with Methotrexate?

Many doctors will recommend their patients who take Methotrexate to also take folic acid. The reason most doctors do this is because Methotrexate has many beneficial effects but alongside those effects, it also blocks some of the actions of folic acid. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 and is needed in the body to allow for red blood cell production and maintenance of healthy and growing cells. When Methotrexate blocks the actions of folic acid, side effects such as mouth sores, abdominal pain, liver problems, hair loss, and anemia may occur. For some patients, these side effects are enough to want to stop treatment, which is why doctors will often prescribe folic acid along with the medication.