Methotrexate is a medication prescribed to treat certain types of arthritis and rheumatic conditions. Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) is classified as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug or DMARD. These drugs are commonly prescribed to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, and help prevent damage to the joints.
Methotrexate was first developed as a chemotherapy agent in the 1940s. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat rheumatoid arthritis in the 1980s. Methotrexate is a slow acting drug. Improvement from methotrexate may be seen at 6 weeks but it may take 12 weeks or even 6 months of treatment for full benefit to be realized.
Methotrexate is available in 2.5 mg tablets or as an injectable solution. Methotrexate is taken one day a week for arthritis. The drug is not taken daily like most pills. Methotrexate is a treatment option for:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- psoriatic arthritis
- juvenile chronic arthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis (peripheral joint disease)
- vasculitides
Methotrexate safety is important for arthritis patients. Methotrexate safety decreases the chance for undesirable side effects. Methotrexate must be taken according to directions. Warnings should be respected. If you are taking the drug, here are 10 Things You Should Know About Methotrexate.
Related Resources:
- The Facts of Methotrexate
- Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Combination Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Second Course of Methotrexate May Be Effective
- Is Methotrexate Injection Better Than Oral Methotrexate?
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