Name:
Hospital Number:
NHS Number:
Consultant:
This leaflet gives you information about your Methotrexate treatment.
You may attend the Drug Education Clinic, or you may switch from oral methotrexate to injections on the advice of one of the Rheumatology team.
For any appointments at the Drug Education Clinic, you will need to report to the main outpatient reception then make your way to outpatient area 4.
When you commence Methotrexate injection the following information will be shared with you:
□ Risks and benefits of treatment
□ Versus Arthritis UK leaflet
□ Blood test/chest X-ray
□ Importance of blood monitoring and schedule:
Every 2 weeks for 6 weeks after starting your medication. If the results are satisfactory, you can then revert to your usual blood monitoring regime (every 4-12 weeks, depending on your individual case).
□ Importance of contacting our blood test appointment line on 0161 206 2339 when you receive your delivery
□ Importance of contacting our Rheumatology Prescription Co- ordinator on 0161 206 8457 two weeks before needing a new prescription
□ The antibiotics trimethoprim and cotrimoxazole (Septrin®) should be avoided whilst on Methotrexate
□ Useful links:
Versus Arthritis
http://www.versusarthritis.org
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
http://www.nras.org.uk/
Methotrexate injections (Metoject®) is administered by yourself (or a trained relative/friend) at home by subcutaneous injection.
Your injections will be delivered by HealthNet, a homecare delivery company. You will receive a telephone call to arrange an initial home visit by one of their nurses who will teach you how to do the injections and safely dispose it.
As your injections are prescribed by the rheumatology team at Salford, the blood tests will need to be done at the hospital.
After attending your Drug Education Clinic, you will then commence your blood monitoring. For this clinic you will report directly to Area 4 in outpatients without booking at the main outpatient reception.
You will still need to take the folic acid tablets. Please make sure that you continue to receive these on prescription from your GP as usual. If clinically required, you may be advised to increase your folic acid, but this will be discussed with you.
If you have been advised to increase your Metoject® dose, the increased dose will be arranged through Healthnet home care team to be delivered to you.
Once you receive the increased dose of methotrexate and take your 1st injection of the increased dose, please ring our blood test appointment line on 0161 206 2339 to arrange your blood monitoring appointments.
Once the dose of your treatment has been increased, you will require 2 weekly blood tests for 6 weeks, then monthly for 3 months if bloods remain stable after this period you will then be able to go back to 3 monthly blood monitoring.
Blood Monitoring Clinics are open Monday to Friday 8.40am – 12pm (morning clinic) and 1pm - 5pm (afternoon clinic). It is your responsibility to make sure you have Blood Monitoring Clinic appointments arranged.
Please ensure you attend your allocated Blood Monitoring Clinic appointments and avoid any changes to your appointments. If you do not attend your blood monitoring appointments, we will not be able to continue to prescribe your medication.
The blood monitoring schedule may change if your blood tests are abnormal or any changes in your medication and you will be contacted over the phone to discuss this.
Drug Education Clinic
Folic Acid 5mg tablets
Treatment
Blood Monitoring
Useful contact numbers and information
Blood test appointments 0161 206 2339:
9am - 12noon Monday to Friday
Prescription queries 0161 206 8457
Your home Care delivery is Healthnet 08000 833 060
Rheumatology advice line 0161 524 1428:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Opening times are at the top right-hand corner of your clinic letter.
The Rheumatology Consultant’s secretary:
Prof. Dixon/Dr Harrison/Dr Jani/Dr Ayub - 0161 206 1082
Prof. O'Neill/Dr Low - 0161 206 4627
Dr Samaranayaka/Dr Hughes - 0161 206 4264
Dr Kamath/Prof. Chinoy/Dr Lilleker - 0161 206 7048
Date of Review: October 2024
Date of Next Review: October 2026
Ref No: PI_M_1927 (Salford)