Methotrexate injections aftercare
You have now completed your training and should be feeling confident to administer your subcutaneous methotrexate injections (Metoject®) at home.
Administration
Methotrexate is a once weekly medication, taken on the same day each week.
Do not take oral methotrexate while you are being treated with subcutaneous methotrexate (Metoject®).
Before administering the methotrexate, always check the name, dose and expiry date on the Metoject® pen and make sure the device does not have any cracks or leaks. Do not use if you have any concerns.
Use the injection sites you have been shown and rotate them on a weekly basis.
Please refer to the Medac training video for the full administration process at https://metoject.co.uk
Disposal of the injection pens
Always dispose of your Metoject® pen, and the pen cap, in the purple lidded cytotoxic sharps bin that you have been given.
Blood monitoring
Please arrange to have fortnightly blood monitoring for the first 6 weeks after starting subcutaneous methotrexate and then go back to your normal routine. This can be done at either your GP’s surgery, Edward Jenner Unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital or West Block Out-patients at Cheltenham General Hospital.
Storage
Methotrexate injections should be stored out of direct sunlight, at room temperature. The Metoject® pen must remain in the sealed package until it is due to be administered.
The cytotoxic sharps bin must be kept out of reach and sight of children and pets.
When not to administer the methotrexate
If you are unwell with a temperature or taking antibiotics, methotrexate will need to be stopped until you are 100% better and you have completed the course of antibiotics.
If you are due to have surgery, you will need to stop the methotrexate treatment 1 week before your surgery date. Do not restart methotrexate until all of your wounds are clean and dry and sutures (stiches) have been removed.
Supply
You will have been given a 6 week supply (6 injections) of subcutaneous methotrexate (Metoject® pens) and a purple lidded cytotoxic sharps bin.
After this supply has run out, you can order further prescriptions and sharps bins from your GP.
Disposal of cytotoxic sharps bin
- Do not fill the sharps bin over two thirds.
- When the sharps bin is full, close the lid firmly.
- Return the bin to your local pharmacy for disposal.
- You can order a replacement bin from your GP’s practice.
Further information
More information is available from:
Metoject®
Website: https://metoject.co.uk/patients/
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)
Website: www.nras.org.uk/methotrexate