Rheumatoid arthritis: Oral, SC, IM, IV: 7.5–20 mg once a weekPsoriasis: (Oral) 10–25 mg once weekly, adjusted to responseCrohn’s disease: 15–25 mg weekly Neoplastic disease: Dose by weight or surface area according to specific indication
HD                     :Dialysed. Haemodialysis clearance is 38–40 mL/minute. 50% of normal dose at least 12 hours before next dialysis. Use with caution
HDF/high flux   :Dialysed. 50% of normal dose at least 12 hours before next dialysis. Use with caution
CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR 10 to 20 mL/min
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Anaesthetics: antifolate effect increased by nitrous oxide – avoid concomitant use
Analgesics: increased risk of toxicity with NSAIDs
Antibacterials: absorption possibly reduced by neomycin; antifolate effect increased with co-trimoxazole and trimethoprim; penicillins and possibly ciprofloxacin reduce excretion of methotrexate (increased risk of toxicity); increased haematological toxicity with doxycycline and tetracycline
Antimalarials: antifolate effect enhanced by pyrimethamine
Antipsychotics: avoid concomitant use with clozapine (increased risk of agranulocytosis)
Ciclosporin: methotrexate may inhibit the clearance of ciclosporin or its metabolites; ciclosporin may inhibit methotrexate eliminationCorticosteroids: increased risk of haematological toxicityCytotoxics: increased pulmonary toxicity with cisplatinProbenecid: excretion of methotrexate reduced
Retinoids: concentration increased by acitretin, also increased hepatotoxicity – avoid concomitant use
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
Compatible with glucose 5%, sodium chloride 0.9%, compound sodium lactate, or Ringers solution
Route
Oral, IM, IV (bolus injection or infusion), intrathecal, intra-arterial, intraventricular
Rate of Administration
Slow IV injection
Comments
High-dose methotrexate may cause precipitation of methotrexate or its metabolites in renal tubules. A high fluid throughput and alkalinisation of urine, using sodium bicarbonate if necessary, is recommended.470 METhoTrEXATE
OTHER INFORMATION
The dose is well absorbed at doses 90%), although small amounts via the bile. Clearance is higher in children than in adultsCalcium folinate (calcium leucovorin) is a potent agent for neutralising the immediate toxic effects of methotrexate on the haematopoietic systemCalcium folinate rescue may begin 24/32/36 hours post start of methotrexate therapy, according to local protocol. Doses of up to 120 mg may be given over 12–24 hours by IM or IV injection or infusion, followed by 12–15 mg IM, or 15 mg orally every 6 hours for the next 48 hoursRenal function should be closely monitored throughout treatmentAn approximate correction for renal function may be made by reducing the dose in proportion to the reduction in creatinine clearance based on a normal creatinine clearance of 60 mL/minute/m2Alternative dosing regimen: CrCl (mL/min) Dose>80 100%60 65%45 50%<30 AvoidDoses in renal failure from Kintzel PE, Dorr RT. Anticancer drug renal toxicity and elimination: dosing guidelines for altered renal function.