Key facts you should know before ...

Updated May 22, 2014.

Drug Class:

Methotrexate belongs to the class of drugs known as DMARDs or anti rheumatic disease. DMARDs slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, joint damage and help to prevent.

Methotrexate was as a drug for leukemia in the 1940s, the drug is considered in the 1970 experiment was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 1988 was developed.

Other drugs such as methotrexate:

Approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases to treat other DMARDs:

Dosage information:

Methotrexate is in tablets of 2.5 mg. The usual starting dose for adults is 7.5 to 10 mg methotrexate (3 or 4 tablets) taken together one day a week. The dose may, if necessary, be increased from 20 to 25 mg / week.

Package contains Rheumatrex dose blisters that the correct number of pills a patient weekly dose.

Brand: Trexall is in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg available.

Methotrexate is also available in injectable form.

Conditions treated with methotrexate:

Methotrexate has been used mainly as chemotherapy. Low dose methotrexate therapy is an effective treatment for a week, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and vasculitis. Ankylosing spondylitis benefit, methotrexate peripheral joint disease, but has little effect on the spine.

If you notice improvement:

According to the American College of Rheumatology, a significant improvement in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases is generally considered approximately 3-6 weeks after treatment with methotrexate. It may take 12 weeks, in some patients, then all the benefits of treatment with methotrexate.

How it works:

Methotrexate interfere with enzymes in the immune system active. By blocking the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase methotrexate interferes with the production of folic acid significantly to tissue cells of the blood acid, skin, gastrointestinal and immune system every time. How to reduce methotrexate arthritis activity is unclear.

Common side effects:

The most common side effects of methotrexate are:

Who should not:

Methotrexate is contraindicated in pregnant or considering pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects in women. It is common in people with liver disease or abnormal renal contraindicated.

People to undergo surgery should ask their doctor to temporarily stop the methotrexate. Your doctor will advise you.

People should not drink alcohol while taking methotrexate, due to an increased risk of liver damage. Some doctors allow a maximum of two drinks per month.

What you need to know:

Patients must also supplements of folic acid (or folinic acid) methotrexate.

Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor liver and kidney function regularly.

If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor. Methotrexate may cause birth defects and complications at birth. You may be instructed to contraception use until at least 3 months after stopping methotrexate.

_Sources:

_{Methotrexate. Indications. RxList.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx_ids.htm}

_{Methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Cannon MD, Michael. Background. June 2006, the American College of Rheumatology.}

_{Arthritis pain. Zashin MD, Scott J .. Dallas, Texas Sarah Allison Publishing Company of 2004.}