Acute severe methotrexate toxicity in patients with psoriasis: a case series and discussion.
BACKGROUND
Methotrexate (MTX) is considered a relatively safe drug when prescribed at low-dose regimens not exceeding 25 mg/week. Severe acute toxicity is rare and presents with mucositis, cutaneous ulceration and pancytopenia. Most cases occur as the result of inadvertent overdosing due to erroneously taking the drug daily. However, concomitant factors such as older age, co-medication and renal failure may increase the drug's toxicity.


METHODS
We report four consecutive cases of acute MTX toxicity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. In three patients, MTX was erroneously taken daily for 2-4 weeks. All three patients recovered following MTX withdrawal and intensive treatment. The fourth patient was taking 7.5 mg weekly MTX as prescribed, but had concomitant factors and died.


CONCLUSIONS
Although low-dose MTX appears to be a safe medication, acute MTX toxicity can be a life-threatening emergency. Greater awareness of possible MTX toxicity is still needed for its prevention, early diagnosis and management.
Department of Dermatology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Oriol
O
Yélamos
Alba
A
Català
Eva
E
Vilarrasa
Esther
E
Roé
Lluís
L
Puig
D000208:Acute Disease; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000139:chemically induced
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate