Learn More: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rasuvo® (methotrexate) injection a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA. MTX helps relieve many of the symptoms of RA, but it won’t cure the disease.
How long will I take Rasuvo?
You can take Rasuvo as long as it’s effective and helps improve your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe other medications along with Rasuvo as your disease progresses.
Is Rasuvo the medicine I see in TV commercials?
Probably not. Chances are the medications you have seen advertised on TV are called biologic therapies, which are commonly prescribed by rheumatologists and are often used concurrently with Rasuvo.
How long does it take for Rasuvo to work?
Everyone is different. However, most patients using Rasuvo see symptom relief in about 3 to 6 weeks, although it can take up to 12 weeks for Rasuvo to reach its full effect. Talk to your doctor about what to expect while taking Rasuvo.
What programs do you offer to support Rasuvo treatment?
Medexus Pharma offers a number of patient programs that will help you navigate your RA treatment with Rasuvo. Click here for more details.
Will taking Rasuvo make me sick?
It’s true that some patients experience nausea and vomiting while taking Rasuvo. Other common side effects for Rasuvo include stomach pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), mouth sores, and rash. Although these are the most common side effects of Rasuvo, other side effects have been reported. Studies have also shown that subcutaneous MTX (an injection under the skin) decreases gastrointestinal side effects compared with oral MTX. See the Rasuvo Patient Information for a complete list of side effects. Review the Full Prescribing Information and consult with your healthcare professional.
Do I have to take Rasuvo on the same day every week?
Yes, you should take Rasuvo on the same day each week.
Does Rasuvo therapy require any lab tests?
Some RA drugs, including Rasuvo, can cause organ damage. That’s why you’ll have to undergo routine lab tests so your doctor can monitor your liver and kidney functions. These tests are performed as often as your doctor thinks best, usually every several weeks.
What is Rasuvo® (methotrexate) injection?
Rasuvo is a single-dose auto-injector containing a prescription medicine, methotrexate. Methotrexate is used to:
- Treat certain adults with severe, active rheumatoid arthritis, and children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA), after treatment with other medicines including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) have been used and did not work well.
- Control the symptoms of severe, resistant, disabling psoriasis in adults when other types of treatment have been used and did not work well.
Rasuvo should not be used for the treatment of cancer.
Rasuvo should not be used for the treatment of children with psoriasis.
Rasuvo is available in doses of 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, and 30 mg. Your doctor will prescribe a different way to take methotrexate if you need to take methotrexate by mouth or in some other way.
Important Safety Information, Including Boxed Warning, for Rasuvo
What is the most important information I should know about Rasuvo?
This product includes the following Boxed Warning:
Rasuvo can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:
Organ system toxicity. People who use methotrexate for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis, have an increased risk of death from organ toxicity. Types of organ toxicity can include: gastrointestinal, nerve, bone marrow, lung, liver, kidneys, immune system, and skin.
Your doctor will do blood tests and other types of tests before you take and while you are taking Rasuvo to check for signs and symptoms of organ toxicity. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms of organ toxicity: vomiting, neck stiffness, diarrhea, paralysis, mouth sores, irritability, fever, sleepiness, confusion, problems with coordination, weakness, dry cough, temporary blindness, trouble breathing, seizures, severe skin rash, headache, and back pain.
Women who are pregnant are at increased risk for death of the baby and for birth defects in the baby. Women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant must not take Rasuvo. A pregnancy test should be performed before starting Rasuvo. Contraception should be used by both females and males while taking Rasuvo. Pregnancy should be avoided if either partner is receiving Rasuvo:
- for a minimum of 3 months after treatment with Rasuvo for males.
- during and for at least 1 menstrual cycle after treatment with Rasuvo for females.
What are the possible side effects of Rasuvo?
Rasuvo may cause serious side effects, including:
- Fertility problems. Methotrexate, the active ingredient in Rasuvo, may affect your ability to have a baby. Males may have a decreased sperm count, and females may have changes to their menstrual cycle. This can happen while taking Rasuvo and for a short period of time after you stop.
- Certain cancers. Some people who have taken methotrexate have had a certain type of cancer called Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other tumors. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Rasuvo if this happens.
- Tissue and bone problems. Taking methotrexate while having radiation therapy may increase the risk of your tissue or bone not receiving enough blood. This may lead to death of the tissue or bone.
Common side effects of Rasuvo include: nausea, stomach pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), mouth sores, and rash.
Who should not take Rasuvo?
Do not take Rasuvo if you:
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Are breastfeeding; Rasuvo can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby.
- Have alcohol problems (alcoholism)
- Have liver problems
- Have problems fighting infection (immunodeficiency syndrome)
- Have been told you have (or think you have) a blood disorder, such as low levels of white blood cells, red blood cells (anemia), or platelets
- Have had an allergy to methotrexate or any of the ingredients in Rasuvo
What should I tell my doctor before taking Rasuvo?
Before you take Rasuvo, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Rasuvo may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Rasuvo works, causing side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of medicines if you are not sure.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Rasuvo. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
For additional information about Rasuvo, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use, which can be found at www.rasuvo.com or call 1-855-336-3322.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.