Methotrexate For Noncancerous Conditions (Systemic)

Brand Names : Folex, Folex PFS, Methotrexate LPF, Rheumatrex, amethopterin

Category

• Antipsoriatic, systemic
• Antirheumatic, disease-modifying

Description

Methotrexate (meth-o-TREX-ate) belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Methotrexate blocks an enzyme needed by the cell to live. This interferes with the growth of certain cells, such as skin cells in psoriasis that are growing rapidly. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by methotrexate, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.

Before you begin treatment with methotrexate, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.

Methotrexate is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Folex
• Folex PFS
• Methotrexate LPF
• Rheumatrex

In Canada—

• Rheumatrex

Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.

Another commonly used name is amethopterin .