Sold as Trexall and Rheumatrex Dose Pack, methotrexate is the generic name of a prescription medicine used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. These include uterine tumors, lymphoma, bone cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer and others. Methotrexate is an antimetabolite prescribed as a pill or administered as an injection.
Blood Problems
Methotrexate, the Mayo Clinic reports, can induce such common serious side effects as blood in your feces or urine. Blood in the feces may be noticeable in stools that are black and have a tar-like consistency. It may show in your urine as pink or red. There also is the possibility of vomiting and the vomit will contain blood. These serious side effects of methotrexate need medical attention immediately, so tell your doctor. RxList.com states that a low white blood cell count, known as leukopenia, also is a relatively common adverse side effect of the drug.
Stomach and Mouth Problems
You may have distress in your abdominal region when taking methotrexate, such as nausea. You also may experience stomach pain and diarrhea. You may get sores on your lips or in your mouth as well. These also need medical attention, so tell your physician immediately. A condition called ulcerative stomatitis may develop in the mucosa of your mouth that can be painful, and you may have a sore throat from methotrexate, too. Non-serious stomach problems that are common as you start taking methotrexate including vomiting, nausea and appetite loss. Call your doctor if these persist past the first few days of taking the medication.
Pain and Swelling
Methotrexate also may produce pain, especially in the joints of your extremities. Other painful side effects such as back pain, headaches, pain when urinating and pain on one side of your body are less common side effects, but are equally serious and may require medical attention. Swelling, which is common and serious, may occur in your lower legs and feet.
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