title: The effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the disposition of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We have studied the pharmacokinetics of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis concurrently taking the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen, indomethacin, and ibuprofen. The area under the curve, the total systemic clearance, the distribution volume, and the half-life of methotrexate in patients receiving concurrent NSAID therapy did not change significantly (at p < 0.05). Concurrent treatment with NSAIDs resulted in increased inter-patient variability of methotrexate concentration, possibly as a result of biochemical interactions; however, it does not appear clinically relevant. The data suggest that the NSAIDs do not significantly affect the disposition of methotrexate, contrary to some of the earlier reports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baig
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Niazi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehboobali
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate