Methotrexate – Some Issues

Written by Dragon Claw based on a variety of sources.  References include The Lancet, Drugs.com and MedpageToday.

Methotrexate is commonly used for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and is often matched with Folate.  There is a suggestion that General Practitioners does not optimise the needed dose for adequate control.  Here are some points you could bring up with your clinician.

• Subcutaneous methotrexate (MTX) was underutilized but effective with most patients.
• Patients need to be more disciplined in dosing as prescribed.
• Subcutaneous administration of methotrexate, which boosts bioavailability, is superior to oral delivery.
• MTX is one the initial treatment steps well before biologics are considered
• Sometimes doctors switched patients to the more expensive biologic prematurely.

The key message is to use the correct doses of methotrexate and use it subcutaneously.