Hi all. Yesterday when drawing my MTX into the syringe, I accidentially drew from a new vial instead of using up the old one first. I get more than one dose out of each vial. I asked the pharmacist how long the MTX would be good so maybe I could use up the old one next Sunday. She wasn't sure but gave me the number of the manufacturer. I called and was told that I shouldn't draw just one syringe worth at a time. I should draw into however many syringes I need in order to remove all the MTX the first time the vial is opened. My MTX does not have a preservative in it, yet I don't have to refrigerate the syringes when filled. Do any of you draw multiple syringes at once? What were you told about this?HI Jesse, my GP uses my vial about 4 times for 4 weeks in a row and it is kept in the fridge. Good luck, JAnie.
[QUOTE=Jesse88] Do any of you draw multiple syringes at once? What were you told about this?[/QUOTE]
A woman, Pat, on another arthritis board told me about this practice. Her neighbor, a nurse, would load several syringes at one time to make it easier for Pat, who could inject herself but had trouble loading the syringe. I'm gonna ask my doc about this, cuz right now my cousin handles all my shot business, but when I stay w/my sister she doesn't like to load the syringe so this would make it easier for her if I came over loaded
I get a month supply at a time, two small vials. I don't keep them in the frig, but perhaps should double check in this hot weather. My cuz just loads one syringe per week, so uses one vial over a 2 week period. Guess it wouldn't hurt to double check all this.
Hi there this is mello and am new here. I take injectable mthx and I was told to draw all syrenges when first opened and store in fridge . They say that if you don't it can lose some effectiveness if left in the bottle . good luck
Jesse MY doc, told me its like poison and lasts forever. I told him gee thanks. And the pharmacy never told me to store in the fridge just in a cool place ,Hummmm know wonder it didn't work for me ! ANUTMy pharmacy also said no need to refrigerate, even though there are no preservatives. The manufacturer said the same, but to keep in a cool place. I believe there are some brands made with preservative, but mine is by Beford Labs and has a little blue cap on it. The only way I know the name is from the pharmacist. Good grief, that type is so tiny!
So it seems this is the correct way to do it. I will, but for my money, it seems the MTX would degrade just as much in the syringe as the bottle. But what do I know? Now I have a bit of a dilemma because I have a little left over after two syringes and I hate to throw it away. Does that mean I have to go into a new one to get the full amount or do you think I can just have the syringe partially filled until I open the new vial? I know, I'm cheap, but I hate to throw out perfectly good medicine I've paid for. But then I have to finish off all the MTX in the new vial, and on and on until I end up with any empty bottle and full syringes. Nope, that can't be right. Either I have to throw out the extra or have one partially filled syringe until I open the new vial.
Hey, Mello, welcome and thank you for responding. And thank you to my other board buddies who always have good information for me when I need it.
Hello
I take injectable MXT also, my DR's office told me to fill as many needles as possible because it has no preservative in it. I was told to keep in a cool dark place. You do this so you do not but bacteria into the bottle every time you draw the MXT out. When I filled my first prescription the pharmacy told me it did have a preservative in it so it was OK to fill a needle only when needed but to wipe the top of the bottle with an alcohol pad first and to store th e bottle in a cool dark place. Hope this helps have a great day.
Since you are using a new, sterile needle each time, as long as you swipe, with an alcohol wipe, the top of an already used vial of mtx, there shouldn't be an issue with contamination, right?
Joie, that's what I thought. The nurse didn't say I needed to fill multiple syringes, just wipe the top of the vial with alcohol each time. I'd rather do that, but since the manufacturer says otherwise, I'm thinking I should do what they say. Rahrah, I think some MTX has presevatives and some don't. Since my doesn't, I guess it can become contaminated, but I still don't know how.
Thanks for your responses.
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