MTX myths

Why are there so many myths about methotrexate?

One of the problems with methotrexate is there are so many misconceptions about it. The biggest one being it’s a chemotherapy drug, which it is at high doses.

If you’re looking at a cancer dose, it will be between a 1000-5000 milligrams everyday. Whereas in rheumatoid arthritis, you be using 10 or 20 or maximum 30 milligrams once a week. So injectable methotrexate when used for rheumatoid arthritis does not require the precautions that are necessary for high level methotrexate in chemotherapy.

Unfortunately some people think that taking low dose methotrexate, will put them in the same situation as high dose. Low dose methotrexate is anti-arthritis drug, it is not cytotoxic, it is not a chemotherapy drug. There is no excretion or risk of contamination to anyone else. Urine, feces is not toxic.

So, another misunderstanding is that if I’m taking methotrexate, I can’t have any interaction other people. This is not true. So, if you’re taking methotrexate you are not a risk to those were pregnant because there is no level detectable.

So, another common misconception is that methotrexate at low dose can’t be used with anti-inflammatories, this is not true. At low dose there is no contradication to the use of an anti-inflammatory with Methotrexate.