REVIEW - Correct use of MTX

[Guest guest]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2009;153:A696.

[Correct use of methotrexate]

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

Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Abstract

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.

PMID: 19785852

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

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