METHOTREXATE

Methotrexate Sodium 2.5mg, Oral tablet

Alcohol

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Drinking alcohol while taking this medication increases the risk of liver injury. Contact your care team right away if you experience right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, or unusual weakness or fatigue.

· Notes for Professionals: Alcohol may increase the risk for liver-related side effects of methotrexate. Patients should be advised to avoid intake of alcohol-containing beverages during methotrexate therapy. Patients who are noncompliant with alcohol restrictions should not receive methotrexate.

Methotrexate Sodium 2.5mg, Oral tablet

Food

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Certain food or drink such as cola may increase the risk of methotrexate side effects. Tell your doctor if you drink soft drinks before you take methotrexate. Immediately report any ununsual symptom such as stomach pain, sore throat, fever, mouth sores, or problems with urination.

· Notes for Professionals: Concurrent administration of oral methotrexate with food may delay the absorption of methotrexate and decrease the maximum serum concentration.

Methotrexate Sodium 2.5mg, Oral tablet

Foods that acidify the urine

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Certain food or drink such as cola may increase the risk of methotrexate side effects. Tell your doctor if you drink soft drinks before you take methotrexate. Immediately report any ununsual symptom such as stomach pain, sore throat, fever, mouth sores, or problems with urination.

· Notes for Professionals: Food or drink that acidifies the urine such as cola can cause elevated methotrexate concentrations. In a patient, acute renal failure was noted 24 hours after drug receipt despite baseline normal renal function. The patient had repeated episodes of reduced urinary pH despite sodium bicarbonate administration. The urinary pH went from 8.5 to 6.5 after the patient consumed 330 ml of Coca-Cola. Urinary pH was maintained at 8 or higher once the patient stopped consuming cola. The plasma methotrexate concentration fell and urinary function eventually returned to normal. Close attention to renal function including adequate hydration, urine alkalinization, and measurement of serum methotrexate and creatinine concentrations are essential for safe methotrexate administration.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>