Re: REVIEW - Correct use of MTX

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I am new to the list, but 8 years from first diagnosis. I am only on

Methotrexate as I am afraid of the " big drugs " . My rheumatologist assures me

Methotrexate is benign. I am skeptical about that. My question is: What are

the signs of toxicity from Methotrexate? My RA as escalated in the last 4

months with nodules forming and big loss of agility and pain in my hands.

Thank you all for your support and I hope to learn much from the experiences of

the group,

Rojo in Grass Valley, CA

>

> Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2009;153:A696.

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> [Correct use of methotrexate]

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> Verduijn MM, van den Bemt BJ, Dijkmans BA, van der Waal RI, Horikx A.

> Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

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> Abstract

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> Insufficient knowledge about the correct dosage and potential

> implications of overdose have played an important role in recent

> accidents involving methotrexate (MTX). Therefore, it is important

> that the prescribing physician as well as the pharmacist and

> pharmacist's assistant have sufficient knowledge of the usual dosages,

> precautionary measures, side-effects, interactions and

> contraindications of MTX, to ensure a correct dosing regimen is

> prescribed. For nearly all indications, MTX is prescribed in a weekly

> dose of 5-30 mg and preferably in combination with 5 mg folic acid

> twice a week on a day that MTX is not used. The toxic dose of MTX lies

> very close to the effective MTX dose. It is therefore important to

> look out for signs of toxicity.

>

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> PMID: 19785852

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> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19785852

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> Not an MD

>