Shots work better for some people, especially if you forget to take your pills on schedule, or if the pills nauseate you. Methotrexate liquid comes in vials with a hypodermic needle or in prefilled pens with various doses.
You inject the drug under the skin on your stomach or thigh. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to do this at home. If you use a prefilled pen, you’ll stick the pen into your stomach or thigh and press on it to inject the drug. Try to give yourself your shot in a different spot each time. This will help you avoid skin reactions.
It can take 3 to 6 weeks to start to feel the effects of methotrexate. It takes even longer -- 12 weeks -- to get the full effects of the drug.
Your doctor will test your blood often to check on how well your treatment works and to make sure it’s safe for organs such as your liver.