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Merex 500mg Injection

Salt Composition: METHOTREXATE

₹781.00₹1007.16

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Merex 500mg Injection

Categories: Rheumatology

Conditions: Arthritis

Product Introduction

Merex 500mg Injection contains methotrexate, an anti-metabolite and immunosuppressant drug. It is indicated for treatment of certain cancers including acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), meningeal leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, osteosarcoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer in adults. It is also used for severe psoriasis in adults, a skin condition characterised by red, scaly patches on affected body areas, and for rheumatoid arthritis in adults.

Do not use Merex 500mg Injection if you are allergic to methotrexate or any other ingredient in this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you have kidney or liver disease, blood disorders, a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Inform your physician immediately if you experience symptoms including spitting and coughing up blood, general muscle weakness, vision disturbance, or changes in thinking, memory, and orientation.

This medicine may impair fertility. Avoid pregnancy during treatment and for six months after the last dose. Inform your doctor if you have a stomach ulcer, active infection, or mild kidney problems, and discuss any recent vaccinations before starting treatment.

Merex 500mg Injection can cause serious adverse effects even at low doses; therefore, regular follow-ups and routine laboratory testing are necessary as a precaution.

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.

Uses

To treat certain types of cancers To treat severe psoriasis To treat rheumatoid arthritis

How it works

Merex 500mg Injection inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Therefore, this medicine interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication. Actively proliferating tissues such as malignant cells, bone marrow, fetal cells, buccal and intestinal mucosa, and urinary bladder cells are, in general, more sensitive to this medicine. Blocking these slows down how fast cancer cells grow, spread, and suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases.

How to Use

Always use this medicine as exactly prescribed by your doctor. Depending on the condition being treated, your physician decides the dose, dosage, and frequency of this injection. Merex 500mg Injection is injected into a vein (intravenously) or into muscle (intramuscularly). Do not self-administer this medicine.

Side Effects

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them. Common Hairloss Photosensitivity Rash Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting Decreased WBC and platelet count Dizziness Tiredness, fever, and shivering Blurred vision Serious Severe allergic reactions Spitting or coughing blood Chest pain Weakness on one side of the body Muscle weakness

Expert Tips

Avoid getting vaccines while using this medicine. This drug can cause sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen when going outdoors. Merex 500mg Injection affects male and female infertility; consult your doctor before initiating the treatment if this concerns you. Male patients with female partners with reproductive potential should use an effective form of birth control during the treatment and 3 months after the last dose. Do not consume alcohol while receiving this medicine because this may increase the risk of liver damage. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. Inform your physician if you develop sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat while using this medicine.

References

  1. Methotrexate 100 mg/ml Injection - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. [Revised March 2022] [cited 2023 Jun 2]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6756/pil
  2. Hospira, Methotrexate Injection, Food and drug administration. acess.fda.gov. [Revised 2011 Oct] [cited 2023 Jun 2]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/011719s117lbl.pdf
  3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease, 12th edition, 2011, 1358.
  4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antirheumatoid and antigout drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 211.

Safety Advice

Pregnancy: unsafe Do not use Merex 500mg Injection during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Use effective contraception during the treatment and for six months after the last dose.

Lungs: Consult your doctor Merex 500mg Injection should be cautiously used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.

Breastfeeding: unsafe Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Merex 500mg Injection because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during the treatment.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Self-medication can be harmful. Med For Rare does not endorse self-diagnosis or self-treatment.

Written By: Muskan Patel, M.Pharm

Reviewed By: Dr. Vishwa Patel, MBBS