Methotrexate levels, a guide to therapy?
Methotrexate (MTX) is being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. Seventy-one patients have been treated with MTX with only five ceasing treatment because of toxicity. From a study of the serum levels of this drug, we believe that 10 mg intramuscularly once per week should be an optimum method of treating arthritis. The measurement of a 24 hour serum level of MTX, which normally is less than 0.01 mumole/litre after 10 mg I.M., should aid in identifying those patients more at risk of developing toxicity.
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000097:blood; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D008727:Methotrexate