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Methotrexate
Pronounced meth-oh-TREX-ate
Brand names: Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo
Type: Antimetabolite (immune and cancer medicine) · All Other Medicines
What Methotrexate is used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
- Psoriasis
- Certain cancers (higher amounts, in hospital)
- Ectopic pregnancy (single-dose treatment in selected cases)
◆ Kidney note
Cleared by the kidneys — it is generally avoided or used in greatly reduced amounts in kidney impairment, because buildup causes severe marrow, gut, and skin toxicity; NSAIDs and some antibiotics further raise its level.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Mouth sores
- Tiredness
- Hair thinning
- Diarrhea
Important cautions
- For arthritis it is taken ONCE A WEEK — taking it daily by mistake has caused fatal toxicity, making the weekly schedule the single most important safety point
- Causes severe birth defects and miscarriage — pregnancy must be avoided by both partners during use and for a period after, per the care team
- Can injure the liver, lungs, and bone marrow — regular blood tests and usually folic acid co-treatment are standard
How it comes
Tablets, injections (including auto-injectors), liquid. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Toxicity lists: Methotrexate also appears on Medicines That Can Harm the Kidneys and Medicines That Can Harm the Liver.
Related medicines — Other Medicines
Condition guides on MedicalVideos.com
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.