Current and Future Role of Methotrexate in RA Therapy
Diverse side effects are the major reason for MTX withdrawal and changing treatment. However, patients with RA treated with MTX show a relatively good tolerability to MTX compared with other DMARDs. Minor gastrointestinal side effects, mild transaminase elevation and stomatitis are frequent but reversible effects after dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. Serious side effects include cytopenia, hepatotoxicity and interstitial pneumonitis, and in such cases MTX should be withdrawn. The main side effects according to incidence rates are shown in Box 1.
Side Effects of MTX
Diverse side effects are the major reason for MTX withdrawal and changing treatment. However, patients with RA treated with MTX show a relatively good tolerability to MTX compared with other DMARDs. Minor gastrointestinal side effects, mild transaminase elevation and stomatitis are frequent but reversible effects after dose reduction or discontinuation of treatment. Serious side effects include cytopenia, hepatotoxicity and interstitial pneumonitis, and in such cases MTX should be withdrawn. The main side effects according to incidence rates are shown in Box 1.