Information About Methotrexate
There are just some diseases that send a shiver of fear to anyone who hears about them. Talking about cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and other mysterious autoimmune diseases will make any of us feel uneasy, as if the mere mention of these strange disorders already creates tension in the air. But those who are diagnosed with these autoimmune disorders need not worry so much, because there is a special drug called Methotrexate that will help them stay as healthy for as long as possible.
Methotrexate is a drug that is used for treating and controlling cancer as well as several autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s disease, severe psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes Methotrexate is used to cure lupus and psoriatic arthritis. The drug has also worked as a successful treatment in helping women with ectopic pregnancies, a dangerous condition where the embryo lodges itself outside of the uterus. Methotrexate is also used to induce abortion.
Methotrexate is classified as an anti-folate and anti-metabolite drug, for it inhibits the metabolism of folic acid in the body. Although folic acid, a form of vitamin B9, is an important nutrient for humans, it can be harmful to those of us suffering from cancer and the autoimmune diseases. Vitamin B9 is used for fast growth and division of cells, and unfortunately this process also includes cancer cells.
Formation and Use for Cancer Treatment
The drug first came into being when the use of Aminopterin, another anti-folate drug, was viewed as too toxic for helping those suffering from leukemia. When Methotrexate was synthesized from other analogues of folic acid, Aminopterin was discarded, especially when Methotrexate was later found just as effective in other types of cancer, such as cancer of the bone marrow, breast, skin, neck, lung and head. Methotrexate is now used for chemotherapy, either individually or in conjunction with other drugs, and if you hear about success stories of cancer patients emerging from chemotherapy with hopeful results, you can bet that Methotrexate had a lot to do with it.
Use for Treating Autoimmune Diseases
Lower doses of Methotrexate are used for the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, and in fact these smaller amounts are more tolerable and safer to the human body. This has led to Methotrexate being one of the first medications prescribed for the initial treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and chronic condition where the tissues around the joints start degenerating. In fact, the drug is so effective that it can even completely stop further progression of the disease when given as a regular dose, leading to the drug being sometimes classified as anti-rheumatic.
Methotrexate can be given in the form of pills or tablets and in injection form. Brand or trade names of Methotrexate include Oncotrex, Rheumatrex and Trexall, but most medications take the systematic name; a Methotrexate injection, for example, will be found and administered quicker if carrying the systematic name.
Side Effects Of Methotrexate
Most people under therapy of the drug will experience Methotrexate side effects of some kind. This drug is a Schedule 4 Prescription-Only medication, and most doctors prescribe it when other anti-folate drugs have not proven successful in eradicating the problem. This means the risk of side effects will have to be lower than the help they can give to people who need it. So now if you see a Methotrexate tablet lying casually around, you will know not to mistake it for a painkiller of some kind and to avoid taking it if you weren’t prescribed it.
Birth Defects
Clinical studies show that Methotrexate is extremely teratogenic, meaning it can cause birth defects to babies. Pregnant women are prohibited from taking this drug, as well as women who are trying to conceive or might conceive a baby while taking the drug. In fact, the drug is so strong that even pregnant or breastfeeding women with cancer and autoimmune diseases are not prescribed Methotrexate. Likewise, men who are in a position to impregnate women should also avoid taking Methotrexate, for in the case of pregnancy, the dangers of the medicine far outweigh the benefits.
Bone Marrow Suppression
Some reports claim that even low doses of Methotrexate can cause bone marrow suppression, which is a disorder that can lead to a dangerously weak immune system, low oxygen level in the body, and deficiency of both red and white blood cells. A weak immune system and low white cell count can make anyone extremely susceptible to contracting any kind of disease.
Leucopenia
This can be an effect of Methotrexate or a condition of bone marrow suppression. Leucopenia or low white blood cell count can be triggered by folic acid deficiency, and since Methotrexate works on controlling the metabolism of folic acid, this side effect is one of the most common reactions. A leukocyte (white blood cell) count is regularly administered to those taking Methotrexate, and those with less than 3,200 leukocytes or white blood cells per micro-liter of blood may be diagnosed with leucopenia.
Liver Disease
Regular liver function tests are required if you are taking Methotrexate, because the risk of contracting liver disease goes higher the longer you take the drug. A high Methotrexate dosing can also increase the risk of cirrhosis of the liver (dying liver cells), primary sclerosing cholangitis (inflammation and blockage of the bile duct), or Budd-Chiari Syndrome (blocked hepatic veins).
Myelopathy-related Side Effects
Myelopathy is the study of problems or diseases concerning the spinal cord. This includes myelitis and vascular myelopathy. Myelitis is a condition where the spinal cord is inflamed, and this can paralyze the muscles and reduce the normal functions of the brain, digestive tract, urinary system, and the limbs. Vascular myelopathy is one or more spinal cord malformations or abnormalities that can cause problems in blood circulation, nervous and immune system functions.
Stomatitis
Sores or ulcers that line the mouth cavity can be the result of inflamed mucus linings. This condition is called stomatitis, and it can appear as canker sores that look like pale crusty ulcers or cold sores that are itchy fluid-filled blisters that can burst and scab over.
Respiratory Disease
Practically all kinds of respiratory or lung diseases that we go through can be caused by allergic reactions to a drug, one of which is Methotrexate. From asthma to inflammatory lung disease, pneumonia and even pulmonary hemorrhage, a Methotrexate injection or regular dosages of its pills can trigger any kind of lung problem.
The side effects listed above are all adverse reactions that we can experience when taking Methotrexate. Other Methotrexate side effects are skin reactions in the form of rashes, acne or hives; hair loss; diarrhea; dark-colored stool or urine; vomiting; irregular heartbeat; fever; sore throat; jaundice; muscle weakness; headaches; gingivitis or bleeding gums; blurry vision; mood changes; hair loss; seizures; enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes; inexplicable bleeding and/or bruising; and the appearance of cysts, lumps or tumors. This list is not complete, for Methotrexate can react differently with each individual; some may not feel any side effect at all, while others will be unfortunate enough to experience more than one. Any and all symptoms or changes in the body that is observed from the first Methotrexate dosage should be conveyed to your doctor, for even a slight headache that doesn’t go away may be the first sign of a serious side effect like myelitis.
Advice To Consider When Taking Methotrexate
For cancer diseases, the Methotrexate dosage is almost always high, and the exact amount depends on how much the patient needs and the level your doctor decides will be strong enough without being risky. For Methotrexate 
rheumatoid arthritis (Methotrexate RA) and other autoimmune diseases, the dosage is generally low, for the focus here is on controlling the immune system and not impeding cell production. Therapy for Methotrexate arthritis can depend on the individual case; the medicine can be taken in oral form every day, once a week, or every fourteen days. Methotrexate RA can be given in a single weekly dose or divided into twice a day amounts or three times a week.
The importance of following the correct prescribed Methotrexate dosing cannot be overemphasized, for it is the best way for you to get the full benefits of the drug as well as avoid irritating or lethal side effects. Follow instructions for avoiding certain foods and other types of medications that your doctor advises; for Methotrexate can interact negatively with other medicines, even simple drugs like penicillin and ibuprofen.