Methotrexate is commonly prescribed to treatrheumatoid arthritisand other rheumatic conditions.
When considering effectiveness and safety, is methotrexate injection better than oral methotrexate?
Availability
Oral methotrexate is available in 2.5 mg tablets.
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If needed, the dose may be gradually increased to 20 to 25 mg a week.
Your healthcare provider will determine the correct dose for you.
Methotrexate injection is given under the skin (subcutaneously).
It comes as 25 mg per 1 milliliter.
Again, your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose you should use.
In children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the dose is based on the child’s weight.
Which Form of Methotrexate Is Preferred?
Methotrexate injection is considered less convenient by many patients when compared to oral methotrexate.
Methotrexate injections can reduce upset stomach, a side effect of the oral formulation.
There were 384 study participants in the 24-week study who were randomly assigned methotrexate injection or oral methotrexate.
It can take 12 weeks of treatment with methotrexate to achieve full benefit.
The most common side effect of methotrexate is nausea.
There is the potential for lung problems as well.
Volume 58, Issue 1, Pages 73-81.
December 28, 2007. doi:10.1002/art.23144
American College of Rheumatology.Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall, Otrexup, Rasuvo).
