MXT inservice

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
MXT inservice
18
Mon, 10-24-2005 - 8:29pm

Well we learn something every day. I went to an inservice at work yesterday re patients on MXT. Although I am fully aware MXT is a cytotoxic drug ( and new much of the information given) I considered the dose I am on 20 mg weekly did not warrant any great caution to my family members, and the precautions where for high dose "chemo" administration.....I was just a little bit WRONG.

Here are a few of the things I learnt from the pharmacist that I think any on MXT (even low doses )may be interested to know.

1. For 48 hours following the weekly dose ( or any divided dose ) we are "hot" as in cytotoxic drugs leave our system and our bodily fluids are contaminated with this drug and could be of danger with repeated exposure ( this applies mainly to nursing staff etc who are emptying bodily fluids,).........however

2. As the MXT is lost down the toilet ( voiding & BO ) then our toilet becomes "hot" and over a period of time the enamel will errode.(black areas in the bowl) Double flushing will reduce the "hotness" of our toilet.
( if more than 1 toilet in the house only use that one for the 48 hrs)

3. As I have teenage children ( who want children of their own) I was just a tad concerned about this possible repeated exposure over a long period, to them. The pharmacist advised I clean the toilet after each use by me and double flush for the 48 hr period.

4. My next question..re intimate exchange of body fluids with partners during that 48 hr period. Her answer was if we are not worried about future sperm count then no problems. So I would take that as a ....if you want more children then dont exchange body fluids with a partner for 48 hrs.

5. Take tabs promptly dont put them on the bench as they will contaminate the area.

6. Dont put MXT tabs in another bottle with other drugs as they will contaminate them.

7. IF any person at home has to deal with your body fluids ( vomit urine Bo ) during that 48 hrs then they should wear gloves to dispose of items.

8. Taking Folic acid during the other 6 days is a MUST as it reduces the toxicity of MXT.

9. Keep MXT and folic acid in seperate areas to reduce risk of taking wrong tablet

It was a very interesting inservice as it delt with oral MXT doses. This was a Health Department awareness & education inservice following the death of a woman who took MXT daily for 1 month in error. There have also been reports of people confusing the folic acid tab and MXT tab. I have to say that sometimes I forget to take my tabs or wonder if I have or not. So

10 If in doubt dont re take your MXT ....

Hope this was of interest to any here on MXT. I have to say I was wondering why my toilet was not so bright & sparkling and why I have been buying so much blue loo. Now I know. Lell

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: azlell
Wed, 10-26-2005 - 1:53pm
(((((((((((((((((( Bev )))))))))))))))), I'm so sorry to hear this.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: azlell
Wed, 10-26-2005 - 2:15pm

  • My question is if this is such a big deal why is it not any any pamplets or online anywhere? My dr never mentioned this. Regarding exchanging intimate body fluids, what harm can be done with long term exposure? Is it like me, where I will need to be off of MTX for 3 months before TTC? Will my boyfriend have long term effects even after the 3 months?

Jen, I am clueless as to why this isn't mentioned more often (or at all), especially to women of child-bearing age.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
In reply to: azlell
Wed, 10-26-2005 - 4:06pm

Thanks Molly,

I knew about the stuff about waiting to conceive. I was just confused on the "exchanging body fluids" and the effect it would have on Patrick. Sounds like we will both be ok if we wait the thress months.

Not like I plan on getting prego sometime soon!!! But its nice to know that my fertility won't be effected.

Smiles, Jen







iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
In reply to: azlell
Thu, 10-27-2005 - 1:26am

((((((((((Bev and mom)))))))))) I am so sorry to hear this. I am sending you lots of prayers and healing hugs for you and your mom.

Hugs,
Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
In reply to: azlell
Thu, 10-27-2005 - 1:33am

My rheumy said that he has never heard about any of this. Also, he said not one patient in 30 of experience has complained about a black toilet. In Chemo amounts of MTX, he agrees. However, for us on low doses, he feels it is the pharmaceutical company's opinion not a fact. He would like to know who the company was and if they sold folic acid? He only agreed with not mixing your meds in the same container. So, I am not going to worry too much about it. If the grandkids come within 48 hours, I will make sure they use another toilet.

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: azlell
Thu, 10-27-2005 - 9:16am

Dear Vicki,

The inservice at work took me by surprise, because they are putting into action "chemical hazard" action when administering even low doses of MXT to pts, and getting them to double flush in toilet even when they are just on say 5 mg weekly, plus a cytotxic sign in the room so staff know ??

I really dont know if it is a bit over zealous and was a lecture on the side of extreme caution or not. I am just as confused. I can undersatnd the "extreme caution" if a pregnant nurse was administering the drug and not to handle it, or be exposed to contaminated body fluids.

As for your doctors query it was a lecture by a pharmacist. NOT a drug company with a motive.( And I always believed what you have said your doctor said, and thats why I never bothered much about the cytotoxic effects from me to others or my toilet!)

I tend to think maybe I should leave the "medical world" at work!!!!. MANY of the drugs we take have side effects and cause long term problems associated with them, that the average lay person never reads about or hears about, or reads but doesnt fully understand.
In MY OPINION only, it is the pharmacist that I see who can answer my questions more in depth in regards to any drug I take, because "drugs, doses, interactions, and administration" is their job and area of expertise. I have on a few occasions had queries about my meds, I refer these to my pharmacist who tracks down the info and gives me the answer, rather than my treating doctor.

When I posted my original post I did consider that I may just upset & concern some with the information, but I think if I put it "out there" then you can follow it up with your own dr or pharmacy or the drug company directly, if it bothers you enough to warrant it.

I tend to also discuss this with my Dr when I see him, plus get some written info from my pharmacist, because I would really like to get a better understanding of how "hot " hot is, and what exactly it means for me and my family at home.

So Vicki I am glad you checked this out with your doctor. I am myself going to continue on to get some more "clarified answers" to my questions, because I can tell you that when I happen to go into hospital again as a pt ( which happens to be where I work)I will not be happy with having a beware cytotoxic label displayed just because I take MXT on Fridays. Regardless of the fact that those looking after me know anyway.

But in the meantime I am going to double flush the toilet. And start taking folic acid again. Lell.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: azlell
Thu, 10-27-2005 - 2:24pm
(((((((((((( Vicki )))))))))))), thanks for letting us know what your rheumy thought.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: azlell
Thu, 10-27-2005 - 2:32pm
Lell, I agree, I agree, I agree!!!!

Molly

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