Mtx prescription, single use?

[Worried mama]

Last question for today! The nurse at chop told us since the mtx does not contain a preservative, and since the bottle says single use only, that we needed a new bottle each week! Say wha??? So we went back to pharmacy and they are pretty much clueless. So, we will ask dr on Monday. What do you do? It's a big bottle and seems so wasteful. Can you really only use it once?

 

[my little penguin]

Typically we used Mtx or any other vial ( lidocaine )
For only 28 days per CDC
In the hospital they can only use it for a single patient so "single use "

 

[crohnsinct]

Our vials are small but have preservative in them. We were told we can use them up to 28 days after they are first pierced with the needle. Our nurse did say to write the lot numbers down if we take from two different vials for a dose so if there are any problems they can track it back to the exact lots we used. Also each time you pierce something the needle dulls a bit so don't pierce more than two vials for a dose. This was never a problem for us.

 

[my little penguin]

How is Iniectable Methotrexate Supplied?
Injectable Methotrexate is a clear yellow liquid. It is dispensed by your Pharmacist in small 2 mL vials which contain less than 1⁄2 teaspoonful of methotrexate. Here are some important features of the vials of methotrexate:
For patients with inflammatory arthritis, methotrexate is supplied
as 50 mg in a 2 mL vial (25 mg per 1 mL).
The vial can be used for more than one dose because it
contains a preservative called benzyl alcohol to keep it clean
(sterile) between uses.
Check with your pharmacist to ensure that the strength of
methotrexate is 50 mg/2 mL and that it contains the preservative.
The vial comes with a coloured protective cap that indicates the
vial is new. This cap is removed before use and does not re-attach.
Removing the cap exposes a rubber stopper on the top of the vial
which is held in place by a metal ring. Entry into the vial occurs by
inserting a needle through the rubber stopper.
In Ontario, the ODB government pays for methotrexate 25mg/mL -
2mL vial with preservative DIN# 02182777

http://rheuminfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/METHOTREXATE_INJECTION_SHEET.pdf

 

[my little penguin]

http://www.oneandonlycampaign.org/single-dose-multi-dose-vial-infographic

Apparently single dose in large sizes
You could ask for a different brand at a different pharmacy
I know we looked around for it

Good luck

 

[Maya142]

We have gotten both kinds - the single use kind and the kind with preservatives that lasts for 28 days. The single use kind is a pain and a lot is wasted.

I'd talk to the pharmacist - usually they can help.

 

[FrozenGirl]

Yep I got the preservative one 2ml. The pharmacist told me 30 days was the max and just make sure to alcohol swab the top before filling the syringe.