Hi I collected a repeat prescription for my MTX injections yesterday and instead of the Metoject auto injectors I had before, I was given Methofill which the pharmacist says is a new brand. (Presumably cheaper.)
The injector part looks really different- it is much fatter to hold and looks like an old fashioned library stamp, almost like you need to push the top with your hand/palm rather than just a thumb on the old version. Has anyone else had this change and how have you found it? I am not due an injection till Thursday so I don’t want to open the lid part of the injector to figure it out as I think that might lock the activating bit and I don’t need it yet so want to keep it sterile till I do. Hopefully if you use the MTX injectors you will know what I mean by that 🙂
It is going to fill up my sharps bin quicker due to being fatter than the slimline version!
Interested to hear others ‘ experiences?
Thanks
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BlightyFiveStar
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I'm on metoject and haven't even heard of methofil. I think I'd be very unhappy having my meds being swapped without warning. Good luck and please let us know how you get on
Hi there I also have been given these fatter pens. Filled my sharps box with just 4 plus had to get my husband to push them into box cos opening not very big. Have now ordered from my local council a 5 litre box hoping the opening is bigger and will last longer.
I was suspecting that it might be a cost thing that has changed them. Let's hope it still has the same effect x
I had my Metoject changed. Don’t think it was the same one as you. Found it very difficult to use as it was a straight tube and my hand just slid down. Apparently Metoject 15 is only available in 0.3 ml and my prescription said 0.6 ml (haven’t got a clue what that means!). Anyway persuaded GP to change prescription back to Metoject. Don’t think having 0.3 ml makes any difference.
Can’t have it anyway now for 8 weeks as I am having surgery (a new hip) and have had to stop my meds for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after. Fortunately I can carry on with CBD until 1 week before.
Hi, I just had a hip replacement on 8th of May, same day as my weekly Methotrexate injection was due (20mg).My consultant advised me against having it on the 8th but was happy for me to self administer as usual on 9th.
I only had to stop any supplements I was taking.
I was discharged on blood thinners. I also take Sulfasalazine.
I should seek clarification of the advice given as it may have a significant impact on your Methotrexate regime and symptoms.
You should get your nurse to show you how to use your new injection, especially as you haven’t had to use this type before. Sounds a lot differant to the Motoject pen that I also use. Hope it goes ok for you.
I had this happen to me and the Nurse had to phone the surgery to tell them off yet again! She explained to me that the GPS are getting it wrong - the Rheumatology Department only trains patients to use the Metoject and that is the only injection RA patients should be prescribed so you should always check your script. Unless it says Metoject it isn’t correct and the GP does it because the other one is cheaper. I nearly had a fit when I opened the box as I was only on my second prescription and didn’t know what to do with it! The nurse said they are only licensed to prescribe the one type but GPS are a bit slow to cotton on. So again it is in our own hands to check and look out for ourselves.
Thanks but my metoject did get requested as on repeat prescription- when I questioned why I was given something different the pharmacist just shrugged it off as a new brand but with same active ingredient. I will call hospital to check
When my R nurse phoned my practice and the pharmacy they all jumped and I had a new script the same day - the 15mg Metoject is in a carrying solution of 0.3 ml but the other one/s are in 0.6 ml - no difference to the dose but more to inject and it is a different sort of mechanism that is quite terrifying to even think about - the one I got looked like a cross between a crossbow and a corkscrew! Cheaper yes because the Metoject is £10 per go apparently which is why they usually start on tablets. I now check the bag from the chemist in the chemists!
Hi so after your message I did call the hospital and like yours they said I should not have been given another brand as they do not approve them for their patients. Cue lots of phone calls by me to GP and pharmacy trying to sort it out as my injection is due tomorrow. These things suck up so much time. Still not sorted! Gggrrr
My hospital say they have not heard of methofill so if anyone else gets given it be aware of my experience! Annoyingly I did question it straight away with the pharmacist at the time, but got brushed off and now have to go through getting the right version again.
I have just had this happen to me in last few weeks, had mix up & mess up on getting green script last month. It went on for week-10 days, one blaming the other & I was due to do injection at weekend & it was a Friday. Pharmacy assistant mumbled something about “minding what brand it was” & I said fine. But I didn't realise she meant a different style injection, was tired & unwell, passed from pillar to post & just wanted to get home. Not sure if I did the right thing, but read instructions & used it. Have to admit didn’t feel happy with it & to be not given warning/have it discussed? Also had to go back to surgery for different size sharps bin! Have just today picked up new month supply & it’s all this methofill again, but wrong sharps box. This is getting wearying. Cant get hold of Rheumatology nurse at hospital, rang my surgery & they said it doesn't sound right & need to ask pharmacy. But it’s just before Easter weekend & phone lines busy!
This is so wrong and should not be happening. If you were prescribed metoject, trained to use metoject and doing ok on metoject this substitution is wrong. Should you feel more unwell or (heaven forbid) be taken ill you could threaten to sue the issuer of the script and/or provider of this methofil stuff. I'd get my stroppy pants on and be refusing to leave the pharmacy until someone sorted this out and I got my proper meds.
Was horrified to see the change on metject to these awful methofill... Without being told. Cannot get on with the methofill at all, had more pain, more bleeding, feel the needle as soon as put on skin. Going to ask Dr's to sort it out as cannot keep on with the methofill, I have been on metject for years. And what an absolute non environmentally friendly these methofill, massive..requiring more sharps boxes... Am one unhappy person.
I not happy either as I too found Methofill in my bag of drugs when I collected my meds from the pharmacy in March. I queried it and was just told it was the same drug, and as there was a long queue I just thought “oh well, I have no choice as it’s obviously cheaper than the Metoject pens I’ve been using since 2016”. I read the instructions leaflet very carefully and I do not rush my Methofill injections.
But every time I use the Methofill injection I get a puddle of yellow Methotrexate under my skin, larger than a 50p piece. I never ever once had this with Metoject, not a single issue. I know you have to be careful with Methotrexate and wash your skin if you get any on you, but an under the skin puddle can’t be washed!! I’ve been taking photos of the puddles and planned on speaking to my Rheumatologist at my appointment next week.
But yesterday I started with a very itchy skin rash/hive on my thigh where I last injected, the same size as the yellow puddle under my skin. I injected on Saturday evening and 5 days later I get this reaction?!?! I took photos last night and this morning it’s still there and still very itchy. Never suffered with this reaction from Metoject.
So I’m rather miffed - my Rheumatologist didn’t decide my drug brand should be switched so who did? I’ve only been trained to use the Metoject pens and the pharmacist did not think about offering me training on the Methofill injectors. I’ve read numerous things online about the need for proper training.
I’m going to call the prescription lady at my GP surgery as soon as it’s open to inform her of my puddles and skin reaction, and to query if the switch to Methofill was on the instruction of my GP or just the pharmacist cutting costs. I’m due to pick up my next batch of Methotrexate so I want this sorted before I do anymore injections. If the prescription lady can’t help I will ask her to get a message to my GP (who has been an amazing help since we moved house in 2017), I want to tell him about my issues and ask to be switched back to Metoject pens (well, demand actually!). I’ll also call my RA nurses for their opinion and discuss with my Rheumatologist next Friday if I’m getting nowhere.
I’m hoping I won’t have a battle to switch back, but I’m prepared to be very firm and be a major pest until I get proper answers
Hi I would chase your hospital today if possible as my Rheumatology department were not happy I had been given methofill instead and adamant they have not approved it for their patients and I should not use it. GP had to tell pharmacy to order metoject for me, no problem since. Good luck
Good news! The lovely lady in my GP prescription team was very understanding when I explained my problems. She called the pharmacy manager who confirmed that there’s no price difference between Metoject and Methofill, so they’d just ordered whatever was available that day. But due to my issues, and the fact I’ve only ever been trained on Metoject, she will add a note to my pharmacy file to say I should only ever be given Metoject. Super! I really didn’t expect it to be sorted so quickly!
The prescription lady said my prescriptions only ever say “Methotrexate injection pre-filled device”, rather than a specific brand. Hmmm, so that’s why I’d suddenly been switched to Methofill.
My Rheumatology nurse also returned my call and wasn’t happy that I had been switched as I am meant to only be prescribed the Metoject brand. She’s writing to my GP to instruct that my prescriptions must always say Metoject on them.
She said that the puddling of the Methotrexate liquid under my skin is not normal and I shouldn’t get a hive reaction around the injection site (I agree, definitely not!). She also said that a Methofill device has more liquid in than a Metoject device. She has told me to postpone tomorrow’s dose and wait until I get my new Metoject devices this week.
I’m surprised, but pleased, that it all got resolved this morning without any back and forth arguing. I would definitely recommend people raising their concerns to their medical teams if their brand gets switched and it causes any side effects.
Hi I have had the same thing find it really hard to use as methoject was quick and painless the methifill you have to push the needle through the skin yourself. Really dont like it
I have just been informed of the same. I don’t have them yet as still got a couple of the old ones left. Happy to report back when I see and use first one. Good luck on Thursday. Hopefully as easy to use as Metojet!
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