Re: Question about preservative-free MTX

[Guest guest]

We just started MTX a few weeks ago. Our daughters is preservative free and

says one time use on the vial, but there is enough left in there for two more

injections. So far we have just disposed it. I was never told to refrigerate

it though, but it sounds like others say they do. I am going to ask the

pharmacist again too. Sorry if I am not much help as I am new to this.

Best of luck

(, 7, poly JIA)

Question about preservative-free MTX

We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable Methotrexate

from standard to preservative-free. Our rheumy told me to just ask my

pharmacist to order the preservative-free and that there is no need for

a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID need

a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also said

that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be able to

use each vial once and then throw it away.

Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away after

one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely to

me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility meds

and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after one

use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess MTX

isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after one

use if that's the norm.

Thanks for any advise, Hadley

(Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

[Guest guest]

Hello

When my doctor first put me on injectable MXT I was told it was

preservative free. I was instructed to fill as many needles as I

could at one time and to store them in a cool dark place. I was told

that this would keep the vile from getting contaminated. I was

little uncomfortable with this but did not see what other option I

had. When I picked up my prescription it was not the preservative

free one and I was told to just fill a needle every week as needed.

Hope this helps have a wonderful day.

from So. Jersey

dx PA 3/2006 mother to Kate dx PA 10/2007

[Guest guest]

Hi Hadley- We use the preservative free MTX. When we were first

given this our nurse told us that she didn't know which kind the

pharmacy would give us. (standard or preservative free) so she gave

us instructions on both. She told us to refridgerate the unused

preservative free and reuse it, even though it says not to, she said

it would be okay. That is what we do and we have never had a

problem with it. Sometimes the cold MTX can hurt or sting going in

so we take it out of the fridge 1/2 - 1 hour before we give the

shot.

I just called our pharmacy and asked if we could get the standard,

since we have been getting the other, and he said they could order

it and we didn't need to get a new prescription they could just go

off the old one.

& Grant (11, PsA/Uvetiis)

>

> We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

Methotrexate

> from standard to preservative-free. Our rheumy told me to just

ask my

> pharmacist to order the preservative-free and that there is no

need for

> a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

need

> a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

said

> that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

able to

> use each vial once and then throw it away.

>

> Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

after

> one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely

to

> me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

meds

> and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

one

> use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

MTX

> isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

one

> use if that's the norm.

>

> Thanks for any advise, Hadley

>

> (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks! Sounds like our rheumatologist is correct then, we don't

need a new prescription. I will probably call her office and ask

that a nurse call our pharmacist to explain that it's just a

preference and not an entire new medication we are dealing with

here. I think that makes sense that you can reuse it but now I am

wondering (based on another responder) that maybe I should fill the

syringes all at the same time and then store in the refrigerator?

Have to run that by Dr. Arabshahi too or see if she agrees that it

should be thrown out after one use. And thanks for the tip about

leaving out for a while before shot .

-Hadley

> >

> > We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

> Methotrexate

> > from standard to preservative-free. Our rheumy told me to just

> ask my

> > pharmacist to order the preservative-free and that there is no

> need for

> > a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he

DID

> need

> > a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

> said

> > that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

> able to

> > use each vial once and then throw it away.

> >

> > Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

> after

> > one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems

unlikely

> to

> > me but just wondering. I myself went through years of

infertility

> meds

> > and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

> one

> > use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

> MTX

> > isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

> one

> > use if that's the norm.

> >

> > Thanks for any advise, Hadley

> >

> > (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I thought filling the syringes right away sounded like a good idea

too. I might start doing that. Then if my husband has to give the

shot it will be all ready for him and he won't have to ask how much

he gets!

> > >

> > > We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

> > Methotrexate

> > > from standard to preservative-free. Our rheumy told me to

just

> > ask my

> > > pharmacist to order the preservative-free and that there is no

> > need for

> > > a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he

> DID

> > need

> > > a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He

also

> > said

> > > that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

> > able to

> > > use each vial once and then throw it away.

> > >

> > > Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it

away

> > after

> > > one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems

> unlikely

> > to

> > > me but just wondering. I myself went through years of

> infertility

> > meds

> > > and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away

after

> > one

> > > use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I

guess

> > MTX

> > > isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away

after

> > one

> > > use if that's the norm.

> > >

> > > Thanks for any advise, Hadley

> > >

> > > (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hadley,

when we changed from standard to preservative free, it did require a new

prescription.  We were not told or required to refrigerate the pres. free mtx

and told to use two doses, but no more, from each vile.  With the wide variation

of opinions given to patients on this perhaps the mfr would be the best source

for accurate info?

Also, did not have any change in dosage when she made the switch and she

preferred the preservative free as it did not burn whereas the standard did.

From: hadley_messner <hmessner@...>

Subject: Question about preservative-free MTX

Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 7:05 AM

We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable Methotrexate

from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just ask my

pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no need for

a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID need

a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also said

that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be able to

use each vial once and then throw it away.

Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away after

one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely to

me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility meds

and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after one

use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess MTX

isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after one

use if that's the norm.

Thanks for any advise, Hadley

(Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

took preservative free MTX briefly years ago.At the time we were to draw

up the first dose,put in fridge,use 2nd dose in seven days then throw away.

Why the switch? never liked his yellow shots but he said preservative free

stung more.

The dose shouldn't change,as far as I know it's all 2.5 mg per 1/10ml

Becki and 9systemic

Question about preservative-free MTX

We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable Methotrexate

from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just ask my

pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no need for

a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID need

a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also said

that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be able to

use each vial once and then throw it away.

Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away after

one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely to

me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility meds

and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after one

use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess MTX

isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after one

use if that's the norm.

Thanks for any advise, Hadley

(Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

[Guest guest]

Thanks, that at least would get two doses out of one vial. We did

have our rheumy call into pharmacist and it's now on order.

You are right, the non-preservative does sting more supposedly.

However my thinking is that, Isabelle gets these shots weekly so the

less preservative chemicals injected into her little body the

better. I also know that there are many Pediatric Rheumy's that

won't use anything but preservative-free MTX and that makes me wonder

what they know. I am just following my own feeling that less of the

nasty stuff, the better. She's still on MTX, so can't avoid that

fact, but I figure I can at least have her on a less chemical laden

version, ya know? It's just one small thing .

-Hadley (Isabelle, 4 yrs.,JIA)

>

> Hi,

> took preservative free MTX briefly years ago.At the time we

were to draw up the first dose,put in fridge,use 2nd dose in seven

days then throw away.

> Why the switch? never liked his yellow shots but he

said preservative free stung more.

> The dose shouldn't change,as far as I know it's all 2.5 mg per

1/10ml

> Becki and 9systemic

>

> Question about preservative-free MTX

>

>

> We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

Methotrexate

> from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just ask

my

> pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no

need for

> a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

need

> a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

said

> that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be able

to

> use each vial once and then throw it away.

>

> Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

after

> one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely to

> me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

meds

> and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

one

> use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess MTX

> isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

one

> use if that's the norm.

>

> Thanks for any advise, Hadley

>

> (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becki - Does take the MTX with Preservative now? And it

isn't yellow and doesn't sting? That sounds great! Grant can't stand

that it is yellow. HMMM, We should maybe try that!

& Grant (11, PsA/Ueitis)

>

> Hi,

> took preservative free MTX briefly years ago.At the time we

were to draw up the first dose,put in fridge,use 2nd dose in seven

days then throw away.

> Why the switch? never liked his yellow shots but he

said preservative free stung more.

> The dose shouldn't change,as far as I know it's all 2.5 mg per

1/10ml

> Becki and 9systemic

>

> Question about preservative-free MTX

>

>

> We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

Methotrexate

> from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just

ask my

> pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no

need for

> a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

need

> a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

said

> that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

able to

> use each vial once and then throw it away.

>

> Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

after

> one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely

to

> me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

meds

> and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

one

> use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

MTX

> isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

one

> use if that's the norm.

>

> Thanks for any advise, Hadley

>

> (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately, they both still sting. The MTX with preservative has

an additive that reduces the sting though (sodium chloride). Ours is

currently yellow so not sure about that though.

> >

> > Hi,

> > took preservative free MTX briefly years ago.At the time we

> were to draw up the first dose,put in fridge,use 2nd dose in seven

> days then throw away.

> > Why the switch? never liked his yellow shots but he

> said preservative free stung more.

> > The dose shouldn't change,as far as I know it's all 2.5 mg per

> 1/10ml

> > Becki and 9systemic

> >

> > Question about preservative-free MTX

> >

> >

> > We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

> Methotrexate

> > from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just

> ask my

> > pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no

> need for

> > a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

> need

> > a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

> said

> > that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

> able to

> > use each vial once and then throw it away.

> >

> > Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

> after

> > one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely

> to

> > me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

> meds

> > and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

> one

> > use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

> MTX

> > isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

> one

> > use if that's the norm.

> >

> > Thanks for any advise, Hadley

> >

> > (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I guess is just different - she found the mtx with preservative to burn

badly and her preservative free did not bother her at all...it was Bedford

brand, and I do stand corrected, hers were single dose vials. It required a

different presc because it was a different mfr.  BTW ours is yellow too.

Like you, Hadley, I prefer to avoid the preservatives whenever possible.

From: hadley_messner <hmessner@...>

Subject: Re: Question about preservative-free MTX

Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 7:35 AM

Unfortunately, they both still sting. The MTX with preservative has

an additive that reduces the sting though (sodium chloride). Ours is

currently yellow so not sure about that though.

> >

> > Hi,

> > took preservative free MTX briefly years ago.At the time we

> were to draw up the first dose,put in fridge,use 2nd dose in seven

> days then throw away.

> > Why the switch? never liked his yellow shots but he

> said preservative free stung more.

> > The dose shouldn't change,as far as I know it's all 2.5 mg per

> 1/10ml

> > Becki and 9systemic

> >

> > Question about preservative- free MTX

> >

> >

> > We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

> Methotrexate

> > from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just

> ask my

> > pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no

> need for

> > a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

> need

> > a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

> said

> > that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

> able to

> > use each vial once and then throw it away.

> >

> > Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

> after

> > one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely

> to

> > me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

> meds

> > and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

> one

> > use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

> MTX

> > isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

> one

> > use if that's the norm.

> >

> > Thanks for any advise, Hadley

> >

> > (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

s MTX is yellow it just doesn't bother him anymore.

Sorry...

Becki and 9systemic

Question about preservative- free MTX

>

>

> We are currently trying to change Isabelle's injectable

Methotrexate

> from standard to preservative- free. Our rheumy told me to just

ask my

> pharmacist to order the preservative- free and that there is no

need for

> a new prescription. I called the pharmacist and he told me he DID

need

> a new written prescription and that the dose may change. He also

said

> that although it needs to be refrigerated that we will only be

able to

> use each vial once and then throw it away.

>

> Is anyone using the non-preservative MTX and do you throw it away

after

> one injection/use? Did your dosing amount change? Seems unlikely

to

> me but just wondering. I myself went through years of infertility

meds

> and some were non-preservative and I never threw them away after

one

> use. We were very careful to sterilize each use though. I guess

MTX

> isn't expensive though and we will certainly throw it away after

one

> use if that's the norm.

>

> Thanks for any advise, Hadley

>

> (Isabelle, 4 yrs. Pauci JIA)

>

>

>

>

>

>

>