Methotrexate

Odorless yellow to orange-brown crystalline powder.
Methotrexate is an alkaloid anticancer drug available in tablet or injectable liquid form. A chemotherapy drug that interferes with DNA and RNA synthesis. It is also an insect chemosterilant.
UN1544 Alkaloids, solid, n.o.s. or Alkaloid salts, solid, n.o.s. poisonous, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1- Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required. UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1- Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.
Most common impurities are 10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, aminopterin and pteroylglutamic acid. Purify it by chromatography on Dowex-1 acetate, followed by filtration through a mixture of cellulose and charcoal. It has been recrystallised from aqueous HCl or by dissolution in the minimum volume of N NaOH and acidified until precipitation is complete, filter or better collect by centrifugation, wash with H2O (also by centrifugation) and dry at 100o/3mm. It has UV: max at 244 and 307nm ( 17300 and 19700) in H2O at pH 1; 257, 302 and 370nm ( 23000, 22000 and 7100) in 2O at pH 13. [Momle Biochemical Preparations 8 20 1961, Seeger et al. J Am Chem Soc 71 1753 1949.] It is a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase and is used in cancer chemotherapy. [Blakley The Biochemistry of Folic Acid and Related Pteridines, North-Holland Publ Co., Amsterdam, NY, pp157-163 1969, Beilstein 26 IV 3833.] It is CARCINOGENIC; HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE.
It is inappropriate and possibly dangerous to the environment to dispose of expired or waste drugs and pharmaceuticals by flushing them down the toilet or discarding them to the trash. Household quantities of expired or waste pharmaceuticals may be mixed with wet cat litter or coffee grounds, double-bagged in plastic, discard in trash. Larger quantities shall carefully take into consideration applicable DEA, EPA, and FDA regulations. If possible return the pharmaceutical to the manufacturer for proper disposal being careful to properly label and securely package the material. Alternatively, the waste pharmaceutical shall be labeled, securely packaged and transported by a state licensed medical waste contractor to dispose by burial in a licensed hazardous or toxic waste landfill or incinerator.