title: Methotrexate and other chemotherapeutic agents used to treat psoriasis.
abstract: The oral chemotherapy agent methotrexate remains a mainstay for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis after 40 years experience. Extensive usage, both for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis patients, has continued the reasonable safety profile for this drug when appropriate precautions are taken. The availability of other treatment modalities for severe psoriasis permits a rotational system with periods of time when methotrexate is not used, thereby lessening the risk of long-term side effects. Other chemotherapeutic agents for psoriasis are described, but they are used infrequently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of California Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Jeffes
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate