Imutrex™
Active ingredients: methotrexate
Consumer medicine information
Read the CMI leaflet (Opens in new tab) for facts you need to know before, during and after taking your medicine.
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What this medicine is used for
Antineoplastic chemotherapy,Treatment of breast cancer, gestational choriocarcinoma and in patients with chorioadenoma destruens and hydatidiform mole. Palliation of acute and subacute lymphocytic leukaemia. Greatest effect has been observed in palliation of acute lymphoblastic (stem cell) leukaemias. In combination with corticosteroids, methotrexate may be used for induction of remission. The drug is now most commonly used for the maintenance of induced remissions. Imutrex is also effective in the treatment of the advanced stages (III and IV, Peters Staging System) of lymphosarcoma, particularly in children and in advanced cases of mycosis fungoides.,Psoriasis chemotherapy,(See Warnings box and section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use),Because of the high risk attending to its use, Imutrex is only indicated in the symptomatic control of severe, recalcitrant, disabling psoriasis which is not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy, but only when the diagnosis has been established, as by biopsy and / or after dermatologic consultations.,Rheumatoid Arthritis Chemotherapy,(See Warnings box and section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use),Management of severe, recalcitrant, active rheumatoid arthritis in adults not responding to or intolerant of an adequate trial of NSAIDs and one or more disease modifying drugs. Aspirin, NSAIDs and/or low dose steroids may be continued, although the possibility of increased toxicity with concomitant use of NSAIDs including salicylate has not been fully explored (see sections 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use and 4.5 Interactions with other medicines and other forms of interactions).,Steroids may be reduced gradually in patients who respond to methotrexate.,Combined use of methotrexate with gold, penicillamine, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine or cytotoxic agents has not been studied and may increase the incidence of adverse effects. Rest and physiotherapy as indicated should be continued.
Source: ARTG
Storage conditions
- Shelf lifetime is 24 Months
- Store below 25 degrees Celsius
- Protect from Light
Source: ARTG
How to use this medicine
Non-composite pack
This medicine contains one component only.
Component
- Tablet
- Oral
- Yellow coloured, capsule shaped, biconvex uncoated tablet with central breakline on one side and plain on other side
Source: ARTG
Do I need a prescription?
These medicine packs are available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine.
- 30 tablets
Source: ARTG
Is this medicine subsidised?
This medicine is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Talk to your pharmacist about how much it will cost.
Source: PBS
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
For the active ingredient: methotrexate
You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.
Source: AHT
Reporting side effects
If you experience a side effect from this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Or report it directly to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at Report an adverse event or safety problem (Opens in new tab)
Source: ARTG
Data sources
- Australian Health Thesaurus (AHT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Medicines Terminology (AMT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Medicines Information Pty Ltd (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 4 March 2026
Disclaimer
Healthdirect medicines information is not intended for use in an emergency. If you are suffering an acute illness, overdose, or emergency condition, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Please refer to our terms and conditions (Opens in new tab).
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