Maxtrex

What is it?

A folic acid antagonist available as yellow tablets of containing 2.5mg of methotrexate and are marked M2.5 and scored, yellow capsule- shaped tablets containing 10mg of methotrexate, marked M10.

Medical Uses

Abnormal growths and serious psoriasis which has not been controlled by other treatments, severe rheumatoid arthritis that has either not responded or cannot be treated by other drugs, cancers.

Dosage

Adults, psoriasis, 10 to 25mg once each week, adjusting dose according to response and patient's haematology. A test dose of 5 to 10mg is usually given 1 week before treatment starts to evaluate patient's individual response. Rheumatoid arthritis, either 2.5mg every 12 hours for 3 doses as a once weekly treatment or 7.5mg as single dose once each week. Dose is adjusted according to response with lowest effective dose being used. the weekly maximum is 20mg. Cancers, adults and children, according to manufacture's instructions and as directed by specialist.

Special Care

Elderly and young patients, gastrointestinal ulcers, liver or kidney disease or damage, low blood cell counts, psychiatric illness. Patients should be monitored for liver and kidney function and blood and urine checks should be carried out before and during course of treatment. Women of child-bearing age must use effective contraception and avoid pregnancy for a minimum of 6 months after treatment has ceased.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, patients with serious liver or kidney disorder, abnormally low levels of white blood cells and platelets (leucopenia, thrombocytopenia), severe anaemia, immunodeficiency states.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Alcohol, NSAIDs, live vaccines, drugs that bind to proteins, anticonvulsants, folic acid, etretinate, folate antagonists, acitretin.

Known Side Effects

Gastro-intestinal upset, central nervous system effects, skin rashes, lung disorders, liver toxicity, opportunistic infections, depression of bone marrow, lowered fertility.