Injectable Methotrexate | Arthritis Information

For those of you doing self injections, are you administering it Sub-Q or IM?

My RD has switched me (once again) from Arava back to methotrexate, only this time it is injectable instead of PO. I just picked it up from the pharmacy, and the instructions say to give it Sub-Q, however it was give IM to me last week when I went to the office for the injection.

Also, are any of you able to get unit dose vials? My pharmacist said he was only able to order the 100 mg. multi-dose vials, so I have to draw up 0.8 cc and discard the rest, as it is preservative free. What a waste!

Oh Brinsen, I'm sorry I can't answer any of this for you but I know who can!!! If no one else posts, PM grammaskittles she knows *TONS* about MTX. :)

It is injected Sub-Q. When I was on it, they said the best place for me was the inside of my thigh, in the fatty part. You may have another site you prefer, but this worked very well for me. It didn't hurt at all, in fact I barely felt it.

Good Luck

Nini

Why do some get it by injection and some, like me, take the pills? Is it just the personal preference of the doc? Too bad you can't get the MTX in a sureclick like Enbrel. It's super easy.MTX pills are notorious for upsetting the stomach. People with a history of stomach issues, usually end up with the injection. I'm sure some people have good enough docs that they can just request it too.Stomach issues were the reason I was switched to Arava. When the stomach problems continued on the Arava, my RD suggested I try the injectable MTX.Ah. I guess I'm lucky, no stomach upset. Although I do have the hair loss, so maybe lucky isn't exactly the right word. You know, my regular doc used to have written on my file in big letters "NO SHOTS" because I wouldn't take them. Who knew then that I'd be giving myself a shot every Friday and be very thankful to have it, too!!Hi Brisen, I give myself inject. MXT outside thigh in fat subq. Haven't had any problems to date. Much better than the pills. Lindy LinB39269.9025694444

i inject mtx sub-q. What gauge and length are your needles that you are going to use to inject the mtx? That will tell you whether or not it is going to be IM or sub-q. If I do my own injections I put it in the fatty part of my thigh. Sometimes my daughter will do my injections and put it in the fatty part of my arm.

The reason that you have single dose vials is that there is a rather bad shortage of the mtx with the preservatives in it. I also hate doing the single dose and then having to throw away my vial of mtx. I asked my rheumy when I can have my stuff with preservatives back and he said even he doesn't know that is how bad the shortage is. So until then, I get to throw my money in the garbage with everyone else. Grrrr