[Efficacy and side effects of methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy].
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy and side effects of methotrexate with different protocols in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP).


METHODS
Total of 648 patients who had EP and were treated only with MTX were analysed. Patients were divided into six groups according to protocol: Group 1, 100 mg intravenously (IV); Group 2, 100 mg, IV, followed by citrovorum factor; Group 3, 20 mg, IV every day for five days; Group 4, 20 mg intramusculary (IM) every day for five days; Group 5, 75 mg, IV; Group 6, 75 mg, IM.


RESULTS
The rates of repeated MTX injection in group 1 - 6 because of inadequate decrease of hCG were 23.3%, 25.0%, 21.4%, 20.6%, 24.4% and 22.4% respectively. Success rates were 87.4%, 85.4%, 90.5%, 92.6%, 86.3% and 91.4% respectively. Rates of liver dysfunction were 10.3%, 8.3%, 64.3%, 69.1%, 8.7% and 31.0%.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-dose of 75 mg MTX IV injection may be the best regimen in the treatment of EP because of the same efficacy but the least side effects.
Chen
Ya-xia
YX
Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Mao
Yu-yan
YY
Xie
Xing
X
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D008727:Methotrexate