Methotrexate Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic health condition, characterized by the inflammation of joints and adjacent joint tissues. At times, inflammation is manifested in other parts of the body such as eyes and lungs. Since several body organs are affected by rheumatic arthritis, it is often considered as a systemic disease. As per statistics, it is estimated that about one percent of the world's population suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. It is also observed that women are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than men.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. Medical researchers are of the opinion that it results from the autoimmune responses of the body. Under such conditions, the immune system secretes the substances that attack the body's own tissues and organs, resulting in inflammation. In addition, both genetic and environmental factors also trigger rheumatoid arthritis. Major symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, joint swelling, increased fatigue, fever and weight loss. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis involves medications, surgical procedure and lifestyle modifications.

Methotrexate Therapy: Effective for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Speaking about the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are commonly prescribed medications. They are a group of drugs formulated to minimize the damage of the joints and organs by rheumatoid arthritis. One of the effective DMARDs is methotrexate, which is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have revealed that methotrexate taken in combination with other cytotoxic drugs may be more effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate affects the activity of certain enzymes (for example, dihydrofolate reductase) responsible for immune responses. Hence, this drug slows down the disease progression of rheumatoid arthritis by acting indirectly on the immune system. Methotrexate also minimizes the damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis; the chances of low mobility and long-term disability can be reduced by administration of methotrexate drug in proper doses. It also helps in managing joint pain and swelling, which are commonly manifested symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate Therapy: Dosage

Methotrexate is available in the form of pills (2.5 mg) or injections. The dosage of this drug may vary based on the severity of the disease and health condition of the affected individual. Very often, the beginning dose is 7.5-10 mg for adults. Unlike other medications, methotrexate is taken only once in a week. It is a slow acting drug; improvement may be observed after 2 months of administration of methotrexate drug. At times, the physician may extend methotrexate therapy to six months or even 12 months, depending upon the patient's condition.

Very often, the physician recommends other fast acting medications, so as to manage the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient should inform current medications or other remedies to the concerned physician prior to starting the methotrexate therapy. Chemically, methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist. Hence, folic acid supplements should be taken along with this drug. These supplements are also effective in combating the side effects of methotrexate therapy.

Methotrexate Therapy: Side Effects

Methotrexate, similar to other potential drugs, is associated with certain side effects, especially when administered without proper prescriptions. Notable side effects of methotrexate therapy are skin disorder, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, cough and hair loss. A severe adverse effect of methotrexate therapy is damage to the liver tissues. Considering this, the physician may routinely examine the liver function during the treatment course of methotrexate therapy.

The risk for abnormal liver function is high among the people who drink alcohol while taking the methotrexate therapy. Overall, methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is more effective, if the treatment is started in the early stages. Though there may be certain side effects of the drug, the benefits outweigh the adverse effects for people who do not respond to other treatment options of rheumatoid arthritis.