title: Pharmacokinetics of oral methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is evidence supporting a therapeutic range for methotrexate polyglutamate (MTXGlu) concentrations in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of MTXGlu1-5 is required for optimal timing of blood sampling. The aim of this study was to determine the time to steady state and the half-life of accumulation of red blood cell (RBC) MTXGlu1-5 in patients with RA commencing oral MTX, and the time for RBC MTXGlu1-5 to become undetectable and the half-life of elimination of RBC MTXGlu1-5 in patients ceasing treatment with oral MTX.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients beginning treatment and 10 patients stopping treatment with low-dose oral MTX were recruited. Blood samples were initially collected weekly, with gradual extension to monthly collection over the study period. RBC MTXGlu1-5 concentrations were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results were analyzed using a first-order exponential method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median times to reach steady state in RBCs (defined as 90% of the maximum concentration) were 6.2, 10.6, 41.2, 149, and 139.8 weeks, respectively, for MTXGlu1, MTXGlu2, MTXGlu3, MTXGlu4, and MTXGlu5. The median half-life of accumulation for RBC MTXGlu1-5 ranged from 1.9 weeks to 45.2 weeks. The median times for MTXGlus to become undetectable in RBCs were 4.5, 5.5, 10, 6, and 4 weeks, respectively, for MTXGlu1, MTXGlu2, MTXGlu3, MTXGlu4, and MTXGlu5. The median half-life of elimination for RBC MTXGlu1-5 ranged from 1.2 weeks to 4.3 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is wide interpatient variability of RBC MTXGlu1-5 accumulation and elimination in adults with RA. These data also suggest that after a dose change, >6 months are required for RBC MTXGlu1-5 to reach steady state. Such delays in achieving steady state suggest that more rapid dose escalation or subcutaneous administration from the outset should be considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dalrymple
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Stamp
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Murray L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Barclay
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; C014085:methotrexate polyglutamate; D008727:Methotrexate