Drug Identity
Active Ingredient
Methotrexate
Chemical Class
Benzoyl Glutamic Acid
Pharmacological Group
on the basis of mechanism of action and also cl...
ATC Code
L01BA01, L04AX03
Status
Essential Medicine
What is Trexate?
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
Chemical Class
Benzoyl Glutamic Acid
Pharmacological Group
on the basis of mechanism of action and also classified in Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite pharmacological group
Methotrexate also known as Amethopterin. It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Benzoyl Glutamic Acid. It belongs to Dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action and also classified in Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite pharmacological group. The Molecular Weight of Methotrexate is 454.44. Its pKa is 4.8, 5.5.
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
You should not use methotrexate if you are allergic to it
You may not be able to take this medicine if you have: alcoholism, cirrhosis , or chronic liver disease
low blood cell counts
a weak immune system or bone marrow disorder
or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Important Warnings
Methotrexate may cause injury or death to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy to treat arthritis or psoriasis
Methotrexate is sometimes used to treat cancer during pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
Do not use this medicine to treat psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if you have low blood cell counts, a weak immune system, alcoholism or chronic liver disease, or if you are breastfeeding
YOU MAY NOT NEED TO TAKE METHOTREXATE EVERY DAY
Some people have died after incorrectly taking methotrexate every day
You must use the correct dose for your condition
Methotrexate can cause serious or fatal side effects
Side Effects
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Methotrexatewhich give rise to further complications include HepatotoxicityComaSeizuresNeurotoxicity Elevated hepatic enzymesChemical arachnoiditisMotor paralysis of extremitiesCranial nerve palsyDementiaNuchal rigidity. Methotrexate produces potentially life-threatening effects which include MyelosuppressionNephrotoxicityGI mucositis. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Methotrexate therapy. The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Methotrexate include MyelosuppressionMotor paralysis of extremities. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Methotrexate are more or less tolerable and if they become severethey can be treated symptomaticallythese include Nausea
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines
especially: an antibiotic or sulfa drug
folic acid
mercaptopurine
theophylline
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin
ibuprofen ( Advil
Motrin )
Storage
Tab, Inj Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight.
Price Intelligence
Rs 295.45
DRAP approved maximum price · per pack of 30 · approved 24 Jul, 2026
No retail price observed for this pack. Retailers may not exceed the approved maximum.
Prices across sources
DRAPper pack of 30Rs 295.45
Should you consider an alternative?
Other options containing Methotrexate, and what they are not.
These contain this ingredient plus others. They are different medicines — do not swap.
Pharmatrexate
50mg
Rs 220
Below approved ceilingNo DRAP alertsPharmedic Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd Lahore
Pharmatrexate
Rs 220
Below approved ceilingNo DRAP alertsPharmedic Laboratories (Pvt.) Ltd Lahore
Mextu
50mg
Rs 353.82
No DRAP alertsPUNJAB MEDICAL SERVICES DSL: 05-352-0063-041061D
Trexol
50mg
Rs 360.08
Helix Pharma (Pvt)., Ltd.
Imunol
10G
Rs 456Rs 456/unit
SAFFRON PHARMACEUTICAL COMP
Inograf
0.5mg
Rs 525Rs 52.5/unit
Below approved ceilingPLATINUM PHARMACEUTICAL
CYTOTREXATE
10 MG
Rs 542.5Rs 54.25/unit
HOWARDS
Inograf
1Mg
Rs 847.1Rs 84.71/unit
Below approved ceilingPLATINUM PHARMACEUTICAL
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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