Methotrexate Dosage

Methotrexate is a drug that is usually prescribed as an anticancer drug. It is used for the lymphoma treatment and also for treatment of some leukemia types. This prescription drugs is given to patients with breast cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer and ovarian cancer. Many times, it is prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis as well as severe psoriasis. One should always follow the methotrexate dosage prescribed by the doctor to avoid intake of a fatal dose. The following paragraphs will cover some information related to methotrexate dosage as well as side effects.

How Does Methotrexate Work
Are you wondering what is methotrexate. Methotrexate belongs to the disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDs under the drugs and medication classification. This drug helps in slowing down the progress of rheumatoid arthritis as well as rheumatic diseases. This helps in prevention of damage to joints. Methotrexate also causes interference with the growth of cancerous cells in the body like bone marrow cells and skin cells.

Methotrexate interferes with enzyme dihydrofolate reductase that is active within the immune system. When the enzyme is blocked, production of a form of folic acid is disrupted. This form of folic acid is very important for growing cells in the blood, skin, gastrointestinal tissues as well as immune system. Thus, it is used in treatment of cancers as well as psoriasis. Methotrexate is usually advised to patients when all other treatments or drugs do not show any progress in curing the disease. The mode of action in case of arthritis is still not very clear.

How to Take Methotrexate Dosage
You should take your methotrexate dosage exactly as advised by your doctor. The methotrexate dosage for rheumatoid arthritis as well as methotrexate therapy for psoriasis is slightly less than the dosage for cancers. In case you miss a dose, skip it and take the drug when it is time for your next dose. Never ever attempt to take two doses at once. Always store the drug in a cool, dry and dark place away from direct sunlight.

Methotrexate Dosage
The tablets of methotrexate are available in 2.5 mg tablets. The very high dose of methotrexate for adults is generally 7.5 mg to 10 mg. These high dose pills about 3 to 4 together, are taken together on one day of the week. In some cases the dose is increased to as high as 20 to 25 mg/week. When the dose is higher than 17.5 mg/week, it is usually given in form of injection either intramuscularly or subcutaneously.

Methotrexate dosage for rheumatoid arthritis is usually given in tablet form. The dose of an entire week is generally given in one day in one dose. Most of the time, the methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is divided in a dose of over a 24 hour period. It can also be injected intramuscularly to avoid gastrointestinal problems in many people. Usually Saturday is the day chosen for taking the methotrexate dosage of the entire week. Methotrexate dosage for psoriasis is generally given in a single dose of 7.5mg dose per week or 2.5 mg dose that is taken every 12 hours for three doses, once in a week.

Methotrexate Side Effects
There are many methotrexate side effects that are seen in patients. These side effects in case of high methotrexate dosage include mouth sores, suppression of bone marrow leading to low blood cell count and potential damage to liver. Other common methotrexate side effects include:

• Cough
  
• Diarrhea
• Lung problems
• Nausea
• Skin rash
• Shortness of breath
• Sun sensitivity

Who Should Avoid Methotrexate

Methotrexate should be avoided by pregnant women and those women who are planning a pregnancy. This is because, methotrexate may cause cell damage in fetus and lead to birth defects. It should also be avoided by those who have kidney problems as well as liver problems. If one is prescribed methotrexate dosage, they should stop drinking alcohol. The reason being methotrexate and alcohol together increase the chances of high liver damage. You should begin taking folic acid supplements as folic acid synthesis is interfered slightly by methotrexate.

This was all about methotrexate side effects and its dosage. Speak to your doctor about the drug and follow the methotrexate dosage advised religiously. Do not take chances by altering the doses on your own.