Drug Identity
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Drug Class
Cancer
ATC Code
L01BA01, L04AX03
Status
Essential Medicine
What is Cytotrexate?
Uses
Methotrexate interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body, especially cells that reproduce quickly, such as cancer cells, bone...
How It Works
It may be administered IM, IV or IT. IV administration may be slow push, short bolus infusion or 24-42 hour continuous infusion. Dilute powder with D5W or NS to a concentration of 25 mg/ml (20 mg and 50 mg vials) and 50 mg/ml (1 gm vial). Intrathecal solutions may be reconstituted to 2.5 to 5 mg/ml with NS, D5W, LR or Elliotts B solution. Use preservative free preparations for IT or high dose administration.
How to Take It
1
Adult · Intra Thecal
12 mg/sq.meter — As recommended.
Once a week
2
Adult · PO
2.5 mg — 24 hourly
In leukemia.
3
Adult · PO,IM
15 to 30 mg — 24 hourly
For 5 days in prophylaxis of choriocarcinoma.
4
Adult
Scraped Dose
YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE METHOTREXATE EVERY DAY. This medicine is sometimes taken only once per week, or 2 to 4 times per week. Some conditions are treated daily for just a few days followed by a r
5
Child · Intra Muscular
5 to 15 mg/sq.meter — As recommended.
Per Week for Rheum. Arthritis
6
Child · Intra Venous
200 mg/sq.meter — As recommended.
For Induction
7
Child · IV Infusion
1200 mg/sq.meter — As recommended.
Maintenance, Over 24 Hours
8
Child · Oral
5 to 15 mg/sq.meter — As recommended.
Per Week for Rheum. Arthritis
Safety Alerts
Severe renal or hepatic impairment, Active infectious disease, immune deficiency syndrome, serious anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, AIDS, pre-existing blood dyscrasias
Important Warnings
Hematological depression, chronic hepatic disease, psychiatric disorder, elderly, Perform blood, urine, hepatic and renal test
Risk of pneumonitis, patient should report the symptoms of dyspnoea, cough and fever
Acute porphyrias, photosensitivity
psoriasis lesions aggravated by UV radiation (skin ulceration reported), diarrhoea, extreme caution in blood disorders (avoid if severe), peptic ulceration, risk of accumulation in pleural effusion or ascites
drain before treatment, ulcerative colitis, ulcerative stomatitis
Side Effects
Alopeciaanaphylactic reactionsanorexiaarthralgiablood disorderschanges in nail & skin pigmentationchillschronic pulmonary fibrosisconfusionconjunctivitiscystitisdiarrhoeadrowsinessdyspepsiadysuria
Drug Interactions
Protein bound drugs
alcohol
live vaccine
folic acid
folate antagonist
anticonvulsants
NSAIDs
cyclosporin
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Lactation
Contraindicated. Discontinue breast-feeding
Storage
Tab, Inj Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight.
Price Intelligence
Rs 2,811
DVAGO observed price · per pack of 100 · as of 30 July 2026
Rs 28.11 per unit
~5% below the approved ceiling, per unit
Prices across sources
DVAGOper pack of 100Rs 2,811
DRAPper pack of 100Rs 2,958.75
ServaidRs 764
Should you consider an alternative?
Other options containing Methotrexate, and what they are not.You pay Rs 1,749 more than the cheapest equivalent
Identical active ingredient at the same strength. Cheapest per unit first.
Unitrexate
2.5mg
Rs 1,062Rs 10.62/unit
Lowest price per unitNo DRAP alertsKOREA UNITED PHARMA
Pharmatrexate
2.5mg
Rs 2,958.75
No DRAP alertsPharmedic Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.
Methorax
2.5mg
Rs 931.47 ceiling
No DRAP alertsGENOME PHARMACEUTICALS (PVT) LTD
Dmard
2.5mg
Rs 267.57 ceiling
Wilshire Laboratories (Private) Limited
Rexatrex
2.5mg
Rs 2,958.75 ceiling
No DRAP alertsPEARL PHARMACEUTICALS
Methotrexate
2.5mg
Rs 2,958.75 ceiling
WERRICK PHARMACEUTICALS
MTX
2.5mg
Rs 2,336.65 ceiling
No DRAP alertsHIGHNOON LABORATORIES LTD.
Neumethoxate
2.5mg
Rs 3,104.91 ceiling
NEUTRO PHARMA (PVT) LTD.
Ordered by lowest price per unit where a pack size is known, then by price. Order is never affected by sponsorship. Not medical advice — confirm any change with your pharmacist or doctor.
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