Methotrexate Drugs - Understanding the Basic Facts and Properties

Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that is commonly used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. It was first developed in the late 1940s and continues to be widely prescribed today.

Methotrexate Drug Workings

Methotrexate works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body. It interferes with an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis, which is needed for cell growth and replication. By blocking this process, it can effectively kill rapidly growing cancer cells.

It also has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, which allow it to be used for treating autoimmune conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues and organs by mistake. Some common diseases treated with methotrexate include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

Approved Uses of Methotrexate Drugs
In oncology, methotrexate is commonly used as a first-line treatment for many types of cancers including:

- Breast cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma (a type of blood cancer)
- Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)

It may be given alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. The drug is also frequently prescribed for:

- Rheumatoid arthritis - paired with folic acid to reduce side effects
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis - to clear skin lesions and control joint damage
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - the most common type of arthritis in children
- Crohn's disease - an inflammatory bowel disease

Methotrexate Drug Dosing and Administration
Methotrexate Drugs is available as both an oral tablet and injectable solution. The standard dosing schedules and routes of administration vary based on the medical condition being treated.

For cancer, methotrexate is often injected directly into a vein or muscle. It may be given once a week or every two to three weeks as part of a treatment cycle.

For arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, it is usually taken as a weekly oral dose. Common starting doses range from 7.5 mg to 25 mg per week. Over time, the dose may need to be gradually increased based on a person's response and tolerance.