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abitrexate

Abitrexate (Methotrexate Sodium) is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor used to treat Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Breast Neoplasms, Choriocarcinoma.

Methotrexate Sodium · by Abic

Generic of Xatmep

⚠ FDA reports a current shortage of the injection form — availability differs between suppliers — see drug shortages →
Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Methotrexate Sodium
Form
Injectable
Strength
Methotrexate Sodium EQ 250MG BASE/VIAL
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Generic
Manufacturer
Abic
Half-life
about 3 to 10 hours (how long it stays in your system)
What the pharmacy pays
~$4.92 for 30 — not your price
FDA application
ANDA089356
Availability
Discontinued (per FDA)

How long does Methotrexate Sodium stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of methotrexate sodium is about 3 to 10 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. The 3-to-10-hour figure is for the low weekly doses used in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and low-dose cancer therapy (under 30 mg/m2). After high-dose intravenous methotrexate the terminal half-life is longer, 8 to 15 hours. Methotrexate leaves the bloodstream faster than it leaves the body's tissues: inside cells it is converted to methotrexate polyglutamates, active metabolites that the FDA label says "may remain in tissues for extended periods," with retention varying by tissue and tumor — the label gives no half-life number for them. A second active metabolite, 7-hydroxymethotrexate, is also formed in smaller amounts; the label states no half-life for it either. The drug is cleared mainly by the kidneys, and the label states that the elimination half-life increases with the severity of kidney impairment, with wide variation between individuals — relevant to older adults, whose kidney function declines with age. The effect of liver impairment on methotrexate pharmacokinetics is unknown per the label. There is no extended-release form of methotrexate; oral tablets, oral solution, and subcutaneous auto-injectors are all immediate-release.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Methotrexate Injection — FDA Prescribing Information, Section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (DailyMed).

Drug class

How this class works, per Methotrexate - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

See how Abitrexate ranks — best-rated folate analog metabolic inhibitor for:

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

Ask for the generic

Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →

Request a 90-day supply

Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.

Use copay cards

Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.

Compare alternatives

A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →

Frequently asked questions

What does Abitrexate treat?
Abitrexate (Methotrexate Sodium) may be used to treat juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, breast neoplasms, choriocarcinoma, crohn disease, esophageal neoplasms, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
How does Abitrexate work?
Abitrexate is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor. Folate analog metabolic inhibitors like methotrexate block the enzyme that converts folate into its usable form, starving fast-dividing cells of the building blocks for DNA. At low doses they also calm an overactive immune system and reduce inflammation.
How much does Abitrexate cost?
Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $4.92 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
Is there a coupon or discount for Abitrexate?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Abitrexate. To pay less, Abitrexate is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Abitrexate?
Abitrexate is marketed by Abic. You can see Abic's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Abitrexate a brand-name or generic drug?
Abitrexate is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Methotrexate Sodium. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
Is Abitrexate available over the counter?
No. Abitrexate is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Abitrexate come in?
Abitrexate is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
What class of drug is Abitrexate?
Abitrexate is classified as folate analog metabolic inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
Is Abitrexate FDA-registered?
Abitrexate is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA089356. You can verify this on its official FDA label.

Information is sourced from public FDA regulatory data. Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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