Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis

✍ Scribed by Daniel E. Furst; Joel M. Kremer

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 1007 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0004-3591
• DOI: 10.1002/art.1780310301

✦ Synopsis

Methotrexate (MTX) is effective in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its use by practitioners has become commonplace, even though it is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this use. One might assume, therefore, that there is a general understanding, among practitioners, of low-dose MTX treatment in RA. In fact, however, large gaps exist in our understanding of this potent medication. In this article we review the data on MTX in RA, including the results of clinical and laboratory investigations, which are useful to achieve a better understanding of the drug. In addition, we focus on the many areas where more needs to be learned.

Since a great deal is not known about many practical aspects in methotrexate therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, we summarize some of our personal approaches to frequent problems encountered in the use of MTX. These opinions are based only on our personal experience, biases, and informal discussions with other physicians around the country who prescribe this drug frequently. These should be taken only From the Division of Rheumatology.