Methotrexate Psoriasis

When all else fails, the person with psoriasis may turn to methotrexate. The drug, which can be taken orally or injected intramuscularly, was first used to treat certain cancers in the 1940s.

Low doses of methotrexate were later shown to be effective for other diseases as well. Since the early 1960s, it has been prescribed for severe and / or disabling psoriasis.

"Methotrexate is a drug that is used in small doses to treat severe psoriasis lesions that were not responsive to conventional therapy. It is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis. It can restore the function of these emotionally or physically disabled by psoriasis and / or psoriatic arthritis, "according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) in Portland, Oregon.

Persons who respond well to methotrexate are those who suffer from psoriasis involving at least extended 30 percent of their skin or those with acute pustular psoriasis is characterized by deep seated lesions on the palms and soles surrounded by red patches .

Severe psoriatic arthritis, a disabling form of the disease characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the joints, is another indication for treatment with methotrexate.

The drug can be taken in three ways: as a single weekly oral dose of three to 10 tablets from seven to 20 milligrams a week oral dose of three to five divided 2.5 mg tablets over 36 hours, or a weekly dose intramuscularly.

Improvement of symptoms can be seen in four to six weeks, but may be as long as two to three months of treatment with methotrexate. Once the lesions have cleared the patient remains free of symptoms for a few weeks to a year after stopping treatment.

However, methotrexate is a drug very toxic even in small doses - the reason the patient should be closely monitored by a doctor. short-term side effects include nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss, and a reduction in the number of white blood cells that may be vulnerable to an infection.

Other less common side effects that must be reported to a doctor are unusually sensitive to the sun, acne, headache, drowsiness, fever, blurred vision, painful urination, reduced sperm count, convulsions, ringing in the ears, blood in urine, and respiratory problems.

"Methotrexate may cause a dangerous and unique form of lung disease at any time during your treatment. This reaction can occur at doses as low as 7.5 milligrams per week. The symptoms of this disease are cough, respiratory tract infection, difficulty breathing, abnormal radiographic States-ray, and a low concentration of oxygen in the blood. Any change in your breathing or lung cancer, while taking methotrexate must be reported to your doctor ", warned the doctors. Gilbert I. Simon and Harold M. Silverman in" The Book pill. "(Next: Other effects Secondary methorexate for psoriasis.)

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