methotrexate sodium

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).

Frequently asked questions

What does Methotrexate Sodium treat?

Methotrexate Sodium (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 Methotrexate Sodium work?

Methotrexate Sodium 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 Methotrexate Sodium 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 Methotrexate Sodium?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Methotrexate Sodium. To pay less, Methotrexate Sodium 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 Methotrexate Sodium?

Methotrexate Sodium is marketed by Quad Pharms. You can see Quad Pharms's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Methotrexate Sodium a brand-name or generic drug?

Methotrexate Sodium 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 Methotrexate Sodium available over the counter?

No. Methotrexate Sodium 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 Methotrexate Sodium come in?

Methotrexate Sodium is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Methotrexate Sodium?

Methotrexate Sodium is classified as folate analog metabolic inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Methotrexate Sodium FDA-registered?

Methotrexate Sodium is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA089294. You can verify this on its official FDA label.