💊 Methotrexate Tablet 10 mg
📘 Description:
Methotrexate 10 mg is a yellow to orange tablet, often scored, used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. It is a folic acid antagonist and functions as an immunosuppressant and antimetabolite.
🔬 Nature / Drug Class:
- Class: Antimetabolite, Antifolate, DMARD (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug)
- Action: Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, blocking folate-dependent DNA/RNA synthesis
- Suppresses immune activity
- Inhibits rapidly dividing cells (e.g., immune, cancer, skin cells)
🩺 Prescription / Medical Uses:
| Condition | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | Reduces inflammation and joint damage |
| Psoriasis (Severe) | Controls abnormal skin cell growth |
| Psoriatic arthritis | Helps reduce joint inflammation |
| Juvenile idiopathic arthritis | Used in pediatric cases (with monitoring) |
| Certain cancers (e.g., leukemia) | In higher doses, stops cancer cell growth |
| Ectopic pregnancy | Inhibits trophoblast growth |
✅ Advantages:
- Weekly dosing for autoimmune conditions improves adherence
- Slows disease progression, not just symptoms
- Often used as a first-line agent in autoimmune disease
- Can be used long-term with close monitoring
- Often combined with folic acid to minimize toxicity
- Widely studied and clinically proven effectiveness
⚠️ Precautions:
- Pregnancy: Contraindicated – can cause fetal abnormalities (Category X)
- Liver disease: Risk of hepatotoxicity – monitor liver enzymes
- Kidney impairment: Adjust dose or avoid if severe
- Immunosuppression: Risk of infection – monitor WBCs
- Folic acid supplementation is required (to reduce side effects)
- Avoid live vaccines, alcohol, and certain drug interactions
📦 Storage:
- Store at 15–25°C, in original container, protected from light and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
👤 Patient Instructions:
- Take once a week on the same day (never daily)
- Take with or after food if nausea occurs
- Use effective contraception during and 6 months after use
- Avoid alcohol and monitor for infections
- Regular blood tests (CBC, liver, renal) every 4–8 weeks
- Continue folic acid regularly to reduce side effects