Methotrexate is a drug that is used to treat people who are suffering from mild symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs and it is the leader in its class of drugs, a class known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which work by slowing the progression of the disease in terms of joint damage.
The drug works by attacking the cells that are causing the inflammation in joint tissues of the sufferer and reducing their function, thereby reducing the inflammation and associated painful symptoms. This should also have a knock-on effect in terms of reducing the levels of fatigue felt by patients as well as increasing the mobility in the joints, especially by reducing the stiffness that is often felt in the joints of sufferers first thing in the morning.
Usually, the drug is prescribed in patients whose rheumatoid arthritis has not seen any improvement after undertaking simple therapies, but it can take a long period of time, sometimes up to several months, before the full effect of the drug is noticeable to the sufferer. In the meantime, other drugs such as anti inflammatories and corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed to help manage the condition.
New research, however, has shown that less than half of those who take Methotrexate ever report feeling any significant benefit from it. Men tend to respond to the drug better than women, and those who are non-smokers are also at an advantage, as well as those who start on the drug early on in the progress of the disease. What’s more, the drug has some toxic and unpleasant side effects.
These side effects can include diarrhoea, dehydration, mouth sores, shortness of breath, and a cough or a rash. It can also make you more likely to get an infection, because it lowers your white blood cells. People have also reported increased levels of bruising, thinning hair, headaches and chills.
Women who are taking methotrexate should take extra care not to become pregnant as it can cause spontaneous abortion.
In addition to these immediate effects, there can be more serious long-term effects such as liver inflammation.
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