Carol

I can only speak from my experience, having been on both meds.  When I
was on the injectable MTX, the injections were Sub-Q.  I did not store
it in the refrigerator (had preservative free and with preservative at
different times). I used insulin syringes.  If my day to inject Humira
fell on the same day as my MTX, I would inject both at the same time.
I would not inject them in the same location. I hope this helps you
some.  Good luck to you.

Angela

carol,
just to confuse matters, my mtx injections were IM.

diane

MTX can be given as IM or Sub-Q.  I do sub-Q with a U100 Short needle.  It
does not need to be refrigerated, but it should be kept out of the light.
However, if it is the preservative free version, you should draw all doses
from a bottle at once and store the MTX in a syringe, not in the bottle.

For example, I take 20 mg/week.  So, if I am starting with a new bottle I
draw two syringes with the full dose (0.8ml) and one syringe with a half
dose.  I take one full dose and store the other two, taking the full dose
the second week.  On the third week, I inject the half dose into a second
bottle and draw three full doses.

This is the protocol that was developed by the manufacturer and approved by
the FDA.

Walt

Too big, even if they are IM. My MTX is sub-cu and I use insulin syringes.
---
Joan

I use 29 gauge, 1/2in needles - standard diabetic ones, I believe. You can
buy them by packs of 10 at the pharmacy in most states - some require an RX
for them though. MTX can be IM or sub-q.   Personally, I'd go with sub-q. I
don't think it makes a difference and IM can be a real pain - literally. I
had to do them for progesterone 2x/day for 16wks when I was pregnant with
the twins. OUCH!!!

alison

21G is too big for subQ, but is sometimes used as a drawing up needle.
Use of the 21G needle as a drawing up needle should be restricted to
ampules with the rubber tops, and not the glass single use ampules where
you snap the tops off. For these glass ampules you should use a standard
type of blunt ended drawing up needle, as the 21g needle will leave some
of the medicine in the bottom of the glass. You then replace the drawing
up needle with a 25g (or smaller) by 5/8" needle for injection
subcutaneously.

The 21g needles is used for intramuscular injections of oily substances
like anabolic steroids. You do NOT want to be doing IM injections
without thorough training from TWO RNs or TWO Doctors, as opinions
differ and we all have different body dimensions that one professional
may not notice, but the other one will and show you a better injection
site.

I have a lot of experience with both SubQ and IM injections and SubQ
infusions. I also have partial paralysis in one of the large leg muscles
from properly done IM injections damaging the efferent aspect of the
nerve supplying that muscle, so I have no illusions regarding these
injections.

I'd bet money that the 21g needle you were given is to be used as a
drawing up needle and you'll need to buy a box of 25g x 5/8" injecting
needles from the pharmacy for subQ injection of your MTX.

Cheers,

Ari