Methotrexate Sodium (Cancer Treatment)
Methotrexate sodium is a type of chemotherapy called an antimetabolite. It is an antifolate, which is a type of drug that stops cells from using folic acid to make DNA. Methotrexate sodium kills cancer cells and other dividing cells by preventing them from making and repairing DNA.
Xatmep
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Methotrexate sodium is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including ALL that has spread to the central nervous system, or to prevent it from spreading there. It is used in adults and children.
- Breast cancer.
- Gestational trophoblastic disease.
- Head and neck cancer (certain types).
- Lung cancer.
- Mycosis fungoides (a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) that is advanced. It is used in adults.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is advanced. It is used in adults.
- Osteosarcoma that has not spread to other parts of the body. It is used following surgery to remove the primary tumor.
Methotrexate sodium is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Methotrexate Sodium (Cancer Treatment)
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Methotrexate Sodium - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Methotrexate Sodium - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.