Should i take methotrexate for ectopic

Use sanitary pads instead of tampons. Don't eat gas-producing foods such as beans and cabbage. These might make abdominal pain worse. Stay out of the sun during treatment. Methotrexate may cause you to be sensitive to the sun. Follow-up care Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised for repeat HCG blood testing.

When to seek medical advice Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur: Pain in your lower abdomen that gets worse Heavy vaginal bleeding soaking 1 new pad an hour over 3 hours Repeated vomiting or unable to keep down fluids because of nausea Dizziness, weakness, or fainting Fever of Yes No.

Tell us more. Last question: How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself? Not at all A little Somewhat Quite a bit Extremely. Thank You! Start New Patient Education Search. If you have nausea, sip clear fluids like ginger ale or soup broth.

Try to drink often and eat small amounts of dry, starchy food like soda crackers every 15 minutes. If you need to take pain medicine e. If you have any questions about medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. To help relax the muscles that cause cramping, you can use a hot water bottle or a heating pad. Taking hot baths can also help. You must not get pregnant for at least 3 months after having a methotrexate injection.

At this stage, it may be hard to know if you are experiencing a typical pregnancy or an ectopic pregnancy. Abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain should be reported to your obstetrician—gynecologist ob-gyn or other health care professional. As an ectopic pregnancy grows, more serious symptoms may develop, especially if a fallopian tube ruptures. Symptoms may include the following:. A ruptured fallopian tube can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. If you have sudden, severe pain; shoulder pain; or weakness, you should go to an emergency room.

If you do not have the symptoms of a fallopian tube rupture but your ob-gyn or other health care professional suspects you may have ectopic pregnancy, he or she may:.

Perform an ultrasound exam to see where the pregnancy is developing. Test your blood for a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin hCG.

An ectopic pregnancy cannot move or be moved to the uterus, so it always requires treatment. There are two methods used to treat an ectopic pregnancy: 1 medication and 2 surgery. Several weeks of follow-up are required with each treatment.

The most common drug used to treat ectopic pregnancy is methotrexate. This drug stops cells from growing, which ends the pregnancy. The pregnancy then is absorbed by the body over 4—6 weeks. This does not require the removal of the fallopian tube. Methotrexate may be used if the pregnancy has not ruptured a fallopian tube.

Several factors go into the decision to use methotrexate. One of the most important factors is your ability to follow up with blood tests that check your blood levels of hCG.

You will not be able to use methotrexate if you are breastfeeding or have certain health problems. Methotrexate often is given by injection in one dose. Before you take methotrexate, blood tests will be done to measure the level of hCG and the functions of certain organs. If hCG levels have not decreased enough after the first dose, another dose of methotrexate may be recommended. You will have careful follow-up over time until hCG is no longer found in your blood. Taking methotrexate can have some side effects.

Instead, it starts to necrose, or shrink up, and eventually either passes out or may even be absorbed by your body. The lining of your uterus in an ectopic pregnancy is still somewhat built up, however. So, this fluffy lining of your uterus will need to shed, just like a period, as the pregnancy is ending. But the bleeding looks just like that—more like a period than a miscarriage. The bleeding may start soon after you get your first dose of methotrexate, or it may take a little while to start.

Instead, the only thing that tells your doctor that things are going in the right direction are the blood tests. But those follow up blood tests are vitally important so you and your doctor both know that the pregnancy is resolving.

Methotrexate for Ectopic Pregnancy. Miscarriage Reproductive Health August 20,