Low-dose methotrexate treatment in noninfectious uveitis resistant to corticosteroids.
A total of 14 patients (10 women and 4 men) ranging in age from 18 to 56 years who presented with active chronic noninfectious uveitis were treated with low-dose methotrexate (MTX). All patients had failed to respond to previous systemic corticosteroid therapy. MTX therapy was initiated in 8 patients at a dose of 40 mg given intravenously once weekly for 4 weeks followed by 15 mg/week given orally; 6 subjects were started on the oral regimen of 15 mg/week. During a follow-up period of 3-24 months, intraocular inflammation improved in all subjects under immunosuppressive therapy with MTX. A concomitant improvement in visual acuity was observed in 11 patients. Side effects included slight elevations in transaminases in 4 patients, transient mucositis in 1 case, partial alopecia in 2 subjects, and nausea in 3 patients. Our initial results suggest that low-dose MTX therapy may be considered as a therapeutic modality in noninfectious, steroid-refractory uveitis.
Holz
F G
FG
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Krastel
H
H
Breitbart
A
A
Schwarz-Eywill
M
M
Pezzutto
A
A
Völcker
H E
HE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D011239:Prednisolone; D008727:Methotrexate