Arthritis Treatment Methotrexate What to Know About Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis By Carol Eustice facebook Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Learn about our editorial process Carol Eustice Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD on October 03, 2020 linkedin Grant Hughes, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He is an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the head of rheumatology at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Grant Hughes, MD on October 03, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Methotrexate is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic illnesses such as lupus and psoriatic arthritis. Sold under the brand names Rheumatrex, Trexall, Otrexup, and Rasuvo, methotrexate is the recommended top-line treatment for people with RA. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images A slow-acting medication, methotrexate is taken once a week as either a pill or injection to relieve RA pain and inflammation. Originally developed as a leukemia drug in the 1940s, it was approved for use in arthritis in 1988. More than 30 years' worth of research shows it is effective in relieving symptoms and improving the disease course in people with RA. Arthritis Treatment Goals and Options Uses Methotrexate is used to reduce joint pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis, prevent joint damage, and lower the risk of disability by slowing disease progression. In addition to RA, methotrexate may be prescribed for: Psoriatic arthritisLupusAnkylosing spondylitisVasculitisJuvenile arthritisCertain cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, some cancers of the head and neck, gestational trophoblastic disease, certain types of lymphoma, and leukemia Precisely how methotrexate works to decrease arthritis activity is unclear. It is in a class of medicines known as antimetabolites and appears to interfere with enzymes that impact immune system function. One enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase, is used in the production of a form of folic acid required for actively growing cells. In cancer treatment, methotrexate inhibits the growth of cancer cells. In psoriasis, it slows the growth of skin cells, preventing psoriatic scales from forming. Methotrexate is theorized to treat rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing the activity of the immune system in a similar way. Methotrexate is a long-acting medication and it takes time to see results. Improvement from methotrexate may be seen as soon as three to six weeks, but it may require 12 weeks or possibly even up to six months of treatment for the full benefit to be realized. Methotrexate and Folic Acid Before Taking Methotrexate is the first-line treatment for RA. If your doctor suspects you have RA due to painful, swollen joints, positive rheumatoid factor blood work, or other indications of the disease, methotrexate is typically the first medication tried. Your doctor will order lab tests before prescribing methotrexate to ensure it is safe for you. Methotrexate is often prescribed alongside short-acting medicines including corticosteroids like prednisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to provide relief of symptoms before methotrexate takes effect. Talk to your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. Your doctor and pharmacist will be aware of unsafe drug interactions. Precautions and Contraindications Methotrexate is not without risks and it may not be right for everyone. People with the following conditions should take methotrexate with caution: Known chronic liver or kidney diseaseSevere anemia, low white blood cell counts, or low platelet countsCompromised immunityA history of excess fluid in the chest or abdomen Your doctor will go over the potential benefits and risks for your individual situation to determine if methotrexate is right for you. Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist and may lead to a deficiency in the B vitamin. Your doctor may recommend you take a folic acid supplement to replenish folic acid and prevent deficiency. Methotrexate and Folic Acid Women who are pregnant or couples who plan to become pregnant should not take methotrexate, as the drug can cause serious birth defects, fetal death, and pregnancy complications. Couples of childbearing age are advised to use contraception while either partner is taking methotrexate and for three months after stopping the drug. Methotrexate may interfere with DNA integrity in sperm. Methotrexate does not appear to affect future fertility. Your doctor will order regular lab work during your treatment to check your body's response to methotrexate and to treat side effects before they become severe. Discover If It's Safe to Take Methotrexate During Pregnancy Dosage Methotrexate is taken one day a week for rheumatoid arthritis. The oral dose is available in 2.5 milligrams (mg) tablets and the typical starting dose for adults is 7.5 mg to 10 mg. If needed, the total dose may be increased to 20 mg or 25 mg once a week. Rheumatrex comes in blister cards containing the exact number of pills to take each week. Trexall is available in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg tablets. Methotrexate is also available in an injectable form under the brand names Otrexup, Rasuvo, or Reditrex. The medicine is given as a shot under your skin, usually on the stomach or thigh. Most patients are able to self-inject their weekly dose. Follow the instructions on the patient information handout from the pharmacist. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer and may vary from patient to patient. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the appropriate dose for you. Why Methotrexate is Taken Weekly, Not Daily How to Take and Store Methotrexate is taken once a week on the same day each week. If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for guidance. Do not take two doses at once. The drug can be taken with or without food, but it should not be taken with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, or medications like Excedrin. The American College of Rheumatology warns that consuming caffeine near the time you plan to take methotrexate may affect the absorption of the drug. Side Effects Many people experience no significant side effects while taking methotrexate, but if you do, adjusting the dose (as instructed by your doctor) may eliminate the problem. Common Common side effects of methotrexate include: NauseaVomitingDiarrheaHair loss (gradual)Sun sensitivity Supplementing with folic acid alongside methotrexate has been shown to reduce side effects for some people. Less Common Less common side effects of methotrexate include: AcneBoils on skinPale skinSkin rash or itching Serious Methotrexate can lead to serious adverse events, including organ and bone marrow damage, birth defects, serious skin reactions, and even death. If you experience the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Black, tarry, or bloody stoolsBlisters or peeling skinDiarrhea lasting more than 24 hoursDry coughExtreme tiredness or lack of energyFeverFlu-like symptomsMouth soresLoss of appetitePain in the upper right part of the stomachSevere nauseaSevere skin rashShortness of breathUnusual bruising or bleedingVomit that is bloody or looks like coffee groundsYellowing of the skin or eyes Warnings and Interactions Methotrexate may cause very serious, life-threatening complications including: Abnormal blood counts due to decreased blood cell productionBreathing problems due to lung damageDecreased kidney functionGastrointestinal disordersLife-threatening skin reactionsLiver damageOpportunistic infections due to decreased immune system response Methotrexate may also increase the risk of certain cancers. The elevated risk of lymphoma in particular may be corrected when the drug is stopped. It's important to be aware that the risk of certain adverse effects is greater in certain individuals. You should take care to ensure that all avoidable risk factors are eliminated if you are taking methotrexate and that your doctor is aware of all of those that you cannot modify. Methotrexate may need to be stopped prior to a surgical procedure. This is due to a possible effect on the immune system and the potential increased risk of infection with its use. Liver Function The risk of abnormal liver function/liver damage increases significantly for people who drink alcohol, are elderly or obese, or have diabetes. Taking certain medications alongside methotrexate may also increase the risk of liver damage. These include: Soriatane (acitretin)Imuran (azathioprine)Accutane (isotretinoin)Azulfidine (sulfasalazine)Vesanoid (tretinoin) If you drink alcohol, be honest with your doctor prior to taking methotrexate. It is important to routinely have your liver function monitored with blood work so your doctor can monitor you for adverse effects. A Word From Verywell Methotrexate is among the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, it is taken alone. In other cases, methotrexate is prescribed as part of combination therapy, where it is taken along with another DMARD or biologic drug. It is imperative that you take methotrexate exactly as directed. It is also essential that you be aware of potential side effects and report anything unusual to your doctor immediately. Methotrexate can be a safe and effective medication when used properly. The Potential Side Effects of Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Singh JA, Saag KG, Bridges SL Jr, et al. 2015 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016;68(1):1-26. doi:10.1002/art.39480 Lopez-Olivo MA, Siddhanamatha HR, Shea B, Tugwell P, Wells GA, Suarez-Almazor ME. Methotrexate for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(6):CD000957. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000957.pub2 U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Methotrexate. Updated July 21, 2020. Bedoui Y, Guillot X, Sélambarom J, et al. Methotrexate an old drug with new tricks. 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