Eeek! Forgot to take my MTX - what do I do?

[helixhelix]

Normally take it on Tuesday, but forgot this week (I think I got muddled with Bank Holiday). What do I do now? Do I leave it 'till next Tuesday, or take full dose now, or just take some? Any experience of being forgetful? Thanks, Polly

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi

The PIL (Patient Information Leaflet) for methotrexate states:

"If you forget to take Maxtrex Tablets

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if this is within two days. However, if you have missed a dose by more than two days, please contact your doctor for advice.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose."

Hope that answers your question. If you're ever in doubt, the patient information leaflet is often a good source of information, and if you don't have one to hand, you can look them up on the following website:

medicines.org.uk/EMC/defaul...

I looked up 2.5mg tablets of methotrexate. Not certain if this is what you are taking, as they are also available in 10mg tablets and as injections, so although the advice is probably the same, it is best to look up the exact one if you're on either of these.

Hope this helps

Kind regards

Vicky

[Hidden]

What I would do is take it today then my next dose would be next Thursday it would just mean altering days.

However you could just miss this weeks dose now seeing as it's two days late,and then just take next Tuesdays one. Missing one dose won't cause you any harm as it's in the system a few months, and as long as it's not a regular thing of course!

take care

mand xx

[helixhelix]

Many thanks, v helpful both of you. I do seem to be getting more forgetful, but must make sure I don't make a habit of this! Polly

[Hidden]

Both advice is relevent and correct.. I will just clarify one thing though for the benefit of VIcky at Nras normally for safety reasons only 2.5mg tablets are used for adults in most english health authorities mainly because once a along time ago the two strengths caused confusion and a patient recieved an over dose!

tablets for methotrexate prescriptions are dispensed and labelled as follows.. eg a patient has a prescription for 12.5mg methotrexate.. this would be dispensed as five 2.5mg tablets and the prescription would be labelled as five tablets to be taken once a week... with the warning once a week only medication appearing in bold on the label.. the once a week applies to injections also naturally..

the 10mg tablets are reserved for child chemotherapy doses in my hospital and most uk hospitals

Alison

[LavendarLady]

I have occasionally forgotten to inject my MTX so I take it the following day and move my anti tnf to the next day after as well. Provided you are not overdue more than 2 days, it is not a problem. If more than 2 days, leave it until you are next due to take it but not double dose. The leaflet which accompanies the tablets/injections is very helpful (if a bit long!).

I agree with Summer. When I was on the tablets, they were dispensed in 2.5 mg dosage. I was also told the reason for that was a muddle sometime in the past between them and the 10 mg and a patient overdosed! My prescription is noted to take on a Wednesday once a week in large black type. My lovely pharmacist always points that out to me even though I have been on MTX for 3 1/2 years now. I also agree with mand, missing one does is not going to do any harm. LavendarLady x

[121012 in reply to LavendarLady]

Exactly what I needed, thank you!

[Edie]

No problem...they take you off of it if you have surgery for weeks at a time. Just make sure nobody lets a DR. give you anti inflamitory drugs like nabumatone that sent me to the hospital. Meth is good but not to be mixed with other drugs. Now am off Meth all together because of it and body went into a out of control spin. Be careful with these meds and most important have a good dr. that knows the dif between an injury and RA! Constant panic attacks can occur!