💊 Methotrexate Tablet 5 mg
📘 Description:
Methotrexate 5 mg is a yellow or light-colored round tablet, often scored for ease of use. It belongs to the antimetabolite class and is used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), immunosuppressant, and anticancer agent.
🔬 Nature / Drug Class:
- Type: Antimetabolite, Antifolate, Immunosuppressant
- Mechanism of Action:
- Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, preventing DNA/RNA synthesis
- Reduces immune activity in autoimmune conditions
- Inhibits rapidly dividing cells (e.g., immune, cancer cells)
🩺 Prescription / Medical Uses:
| Condition | Use |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) | First-line DMARD to reduce joint inflammation & damage |
| Psoriasis | For severe or unresponsive cases |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | Off-label use for immune suppression |
| Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia) | Higher doses used in oncology |
| Ectopic pregnancy | Stops trophoblastic tissue growth |
| Crohn’s disease (off-label) | Immunosuppressive effect |
✅ Advantages:
- Well-established treatment for RA and psoriasis
- Slows disease progression, not just symptoms
- Administered once weekly, improving compliance
- Effective even in low doses (5–25 mg/week)
- Can be used long-term with proper monitoring
- Affordable and widely accessible
⚠️ Precautions:
- Contraindicated in pregnancy – Methotrexate is teratogenic
- Liver disease, alcohol abuse – Risk of hepatotoxicity
- Bone marrow suppression risk – Requires regular CBC monitoring
- Renal impairment – May need dose adjustment
- Take with folic acid (1 mg/day or 5 mg/week) to reduce side effects
- Avoid live vaccines
- Increased risk of infection due to immune suppression
📋 Patient Advice:
- Take only once a week (never daily)
- Use contraception while taking and for 6 months after stopping
- Report mouth sores, persistent cough, fever, bruising or fatigue
- Get regular blood tests every 4–8 weeks
- Avoid alcohol and live vaccines
- Folic acid is essential—do not skip