[Methotrexate: safe if prescribed correctly].
Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective medicine that can be safely used for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis and severe cases of psoriasis. For nearly all indications MTX is prescribed as a weekly dose. As a result of prescription errors, miscommunication, failing pharmacovigilance and lack of knowledge, fatal incidents have occurred due to prescriptions for a dosage once daily instead of once weekly. To prevent such incidences in the future, a balanced automatic pharmacovigilance, clear instructions for the use of MTX on the prescription and good patient information are needed.
Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.verduijn@nhg.org
Monique M
MM
Verduijn
Bart J F
BJ
van den Bemt
Ben A C
BA
Dijkmans
Rutger I F
RI
van der Waal
Annemieke
A
Horikx
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008508:Medication Errors; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate