Question about odd looking Methotrexate tablets.

[Shelley1701]

Hi. I have been on methotrexate for over 10 years now and they have always been little yellow tablets with an m on one side and 2.5 on the other. Recently my usual pharmacy was shut and I couldnt get into town so I went to another pharmacy I've not used before. The methotrexate they gave me were very slightly bigger, a mottled sandy colour and no markings whatsoever. Has anyone else had methrotrexate tabs that look like this? I'm a bit wary about them.

[Shell1967]

Hi I know different chemists use different brands but check the bottle ,does it say 2.5mg. ? If I'm right in thinking didnt they stop the 10 mg ones as they were very similar to the 2.5mg and some people took too many? I would double check with chemist.mine are little yellow tablets but nothing written on them.sorry I can't be of any further help,but check for ur own peace of mind.xx

[Shelley1701 in reply to Shell1967]

The label on the bottle is correct. I know some chemists use different suppliers. Boots years ago used to sometimes give me ones called Maxtrex which was a brand name. Just been down the pharmacy and they assure me they are methotrexate. They look a bit cheap and nasty (the tablets not the pharmacy) lol.

[fastball in reply to Shell1967]

i'm on 10mg of mtx they are a different shape to the 2.5

chris

[Hidden]

Shells advice is good x..

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Shelley

I agree with Shell and Summer. Best to double check with the chemist if you are in any doubt. If your regular pharmacy is open now you could always ask your regular chemist and see if they are aware of a brand of MTX that markets their tablets in this way.

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline)

[Hidden]

I didn't spot this until after posting something very similar myself today Shelley. I think I've been given the same bargain basement drugs as you this week. I've taken mine this morning after phoning the pharmacy to confirm they were the correct dose and expressing my displeasure at being given tablets with no identifiable markings on them. The leaflet given by my rheumy dept when I was diagnosed says to always check you have the right dose in case of mix up. This is a little difficult if the dose isn't even stated on the pill. Here's hoping we both feel ok on them.

Paula x

[Doreen228]

Hi , i too have been given a different tablet , I get mine in a little brown bottle which is hand picked by the pharmacist, he has written "mixed brands" on the front. there are my usual 2.5 tabs inside and a few slightly larger tablets with nothing written on them. They look just like a vitamin b tablet i take (not the folic acid). Im glad i read this post.

However I have two girls and whilst they never touch my pill box , i think its important that they shouldn't look like sweets , which they do.

[Shelley1701]

Hi. I started going to Boots for my Methotrexate but now they too have recently changed to slightly larger tablets with no markings at all on. I don't like that they are unmarked or what they are bulking them out with to make them larger. I do know that since they changed to these I've been feeling a lot worse. The nausea is really bad whereas before it wasn't too bad if I got any at all. I think they must be cheap ones. Trying to find another pharmacy but not much choice here.

[anivo]

Hi I am having the same problem. I have been taking Maxtrex for about 8 years and they gave me these as the generic ones which are bigger did not agree with me because of the fillings and bindings. The Pharmacy are now telling me that they are out of stock and I have to take the generic ones. Again they are not agreeing with me and a medical contact that I have has found out that Maxtrex is still available. I intend to speak to the Pharmacist

again.

[nomoreheels in reply to anivo]

This does happen with various meds, hydroxychloroquine is the usual suspect. It's possible that the Chemists you use are requesting the cheapest generic, there are a few different ones now as MTX has been out of license a while now. Maybe try another Chemists specifying you want Matrex?

[anivo in reply to nomoreheels]

I spoke to my Rheumatology nurse and the Hospital Pharmacist said it was available. I phoned my Pharmacy and they still said it was out of stock so when I told them what I had found out they agreed to phone Pfizer. Came back that they would have the Maxtrex tomorrow and there would be no problems in the future! I reckon they had it all the time. Yes I am also getting various makes of hydroxychloroquine and my other meds.

[nomoreheels in reply to anivo]

That's sorted then.

[anivo in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes thank goodness

[Shelley1701]

The pharmacy has changed my brand about 3 times now. Latest ones seem to give me wind! Saw my rheumy last week and she's switching me to injections.

[anivo]

A lot of my meds give me wind and some makes worse than others