Methotrexate: What to Know Before You Take It

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Serious Infections : Monitor patients for infection during and after treatment with methotrexate. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for serious infections as appropriate. (5.11) • Neurotoxicity : Monitor patients for neurotoxicity and withhold or discontinue methotrexate as appropriate. (5.12) • Secondary Malignancies : Can occur with methotrexate. (5.13) • Tumor Lysis Syndrome : Institute appropriate prophylactic measures in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome prior to initiation of methotrexate (5.14) • Immunizations and Risk Live Vaccines : Immunizations with live vaccines is not recommended. Follow current vaccination practice guidelines. (5.15) • Infertility : Can cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, and menstrual dysfunction. (5.16, 8.3) 5.1 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on published reports and its mechanism of action, methotrexate can cause fetal harm, including fetal death, when administered to a pregnant woman. Methotrexate is contraindicated for use in pregnant women receiving methotrexate for the treatment of non-malignant diseases. Advise pregnant women with neoplastic diseases of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with methotrexate and for 6 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during methotrexate treatment and for 3 months after the final dose [see Contraindications (4), Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)]. 5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with methotrexate [see Contraindications (4), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. If anaphylaxis or other serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, immediately and permanently discontinue methotrexate [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.3 Myelosuppression Methotrexate suppresses hematopoiesis and can cause severe and life-threatening pancytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Obtain blood counts at baseline, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for clinical complications of myelosuppression. Withhold, dose reduce, or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.4 Gastrointestinal Toxicity Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomatitis occurred in up to 10% of patients receiving methotrexate for treatment of non-neoplastic diseases. Hemorrhagic enteritis and fatal intestinal perforation have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Patients with peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis are at a greater risk of developing severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Drug Interactions (7.1)]. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for severe gastrointestinal toxicity taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.5 Hepatotoxicity Methotrexate can cause severe and potentially irreversible hepatotoxicity, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatal liver failure [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. The safety of methotrexate in patients with hepatic disease is unknown. The risk of hepatotoxicity is increased with heavy alcohol consumption. In patients with psoriasis, fibrosis or cirrhosis may occur in the absence of symptoms or abnormal liver tests; the risk of hepatotoxicity appears to increase with total cumulative dose and generally occurs after receipt of a total cumulative dose of 1.5 g or more. Monitor liver tests at baseline, periodically during treatment and as clinically indicated. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.6 Pulmonary Toxicity Pulmonary toxicity, including acute or chronic interstitial pneumonitis and irreversible or fatal cases, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Monitor patients for pulmonary toxicity and withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.7 Dermatologic Reactions Severe, including fatal dermatologic reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, skin necrosis, and erythema multiforme, can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1, 6.2)]. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation while taking methotrexate may aggravate psoriasis. Methotrexate can cause radiation recall dermatitis and photodermatitis (sunburn) reactivation. Monitor patients for dermatologic toxicity and withhold or permanently discontinue methotrexate for severe dermatologic reactions taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Advise patients to avoid excessive sun exposure and use sun protection measures. 5.8 Renal Toxicity Methotrexate can cause renal toxicity, including irreversible acute renal failure [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Monitor renal function at baseline, periodically during treatment and as clinically indicated. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for severe renal toxicity taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Administer glucarpidase in patients with toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations (> 1 micromole per liter) and delayed methotrexate clearance due to impaired renal function. Refer to the glucarpidase prescribing information for additional information. 5.9 Risk of Fatal Adverse Reactions with Medication Error Deaths occurred in patients as a result of medication errors. Most commonly, these errors occurred in patients who were taking methotrexate daily when a weekly dosing regimen was prescribed. For patients prescribed a once weekly dosing regimen, instruct patients and caregivers to take the recommended dosage as directed, because medication errors have led to death. 5.10 Folic Acid Supplementation Neoplastic Diseases Products containing folic acid or its derivatives may decrease the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate. Therefore, instruct patients not to take products containing folic acid or folinic acid unless directed to do so by their healthcare provider. Non-neoplastic Diseases Folate deficiency may increase methotrexate adverse reactions. Administer folic acid or folinic acid for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, pJIA, and psoriasis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3, 2.4, 2.5)]. 5.11 Serious Infections Patients treated with methotrexate are at increased risk for developing life-threatening or fatal bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, including opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, hepatitis B reactivation, tuberculosis primary infection or reactivation, and disseminated Herpes zoster and cytomegalovirus infections [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Monitor patients for infection during and after treatment with methotrexate. Withhold or discontinue methotrexate for serious infections taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.12 Neurotoxicity Methotrexate can cause severe acute and chronic neurotoxicity, which can be progressive, irreversible, and fatal [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. The risk of leukoencephalopathy is increased in patients who received prior cranial radiation. Monitor patients for neurotoxicity and withhold or discontinue methotrexate taking into account the importance of methotrexate treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.13 Secondary Malignancies Secondary malignancies can occur with methotrexate [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. The risk of cutaneous malignancies is further increased when cyclosporine is administered to patients with psoriasis who received prior methotrexate. In some cases, lymphoproliferative disease occurring during therapy with low-dose methotrexate regressed completely following withdrawal of methotrexate. If lymphoproliferative disease occurs, discontinue methotrexate [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. 5.14 Tumor Lysis Syndrome Methotrexate can induce tumor lysis syndrome in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Institute appropriate prophylactic measures in patients at risk for tumor lysis syndrome prior to initiation of methotrexate. 5.15 Immunization and Risks Associated with Live Vaccines Disseminated infections following administration of live vaccines have been reported. Immunization with live vaccines is not recommended during treatment. Follow current vaccination practice guidelines for administration of immunizations in patients receiving methotrexate. Update immunizations according to immunization guidelines prior to initiating methotrexate. The interval between live vaccinations and initiation of methotrexate should be in accordance with current vaccination guidelines regarding immunosuppressive agents. 5.16 Infertility Based on published reports, methotrexate can cause impairment of fertility, oligospermia, and menstrual dysfunction. It is not known if the infertility may be reversible. Discuss the risk of infertility with females and males of reproductive potential [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)]. 5.17 Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions Due to Third-Space Accumulation Methotrexate accumulates in third-spaces (e.g., pleural effusions or ascites), which results in prolonged elimination and increases the risk of adverse reactions. Evacuate significant third-space accumulations prior to methotrexate administration taking into account the importance of methotrexate tablet treatment in the context of the severity of the disease being treated, the severity of the adverse drug reaction, and availability of alternative therapy.