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Methotrexate Disease Interactions

There are 5 disease interactions with methotrexate.

Major

Antineoplastics (applies to methotrexate) infections

Major Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility. Applicable conditions: Infection - Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral

Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

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Major

Methotrexate (applies to methotrexate) liver disease

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Alcoholism

The use of methotrexate is contraindicated as treatment for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis in patients with alcoholism, alcoholic liver disease or other chronic liver diseases. Methotrexate causes hepatotoxicity, fibrosis and cirrhosis, usually after long-term therapy. Fibrosis and cirrhosis may not be preceded by symptoms or abnormal liver function tests. If methotrexate is used, patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggestive of hepatic dysfunction such as jaundice, dark urine, right upper quadrant pain, or anorexia. Persistent liver function test abnormalities and/or depression of serum albumin may require evaluation, including a liver biopsy.

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Major

Methotrexate (applies to methotrexate) myelosuppression

Major Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility. Applicable conditions: Infection - Bacterial/Fungal/Protozoal/Viral, Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts, Anemia

Methotrexate can induce myelosuppression causing leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia and anemia. Therapy with methotrexate is contraindicated as treatment of psoriasis in patients with bone marrow suppression or preexisting blood dyscrasias. Methotrexate should be discontinued immediately in patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis if there is a significant fall in blood cell counts. If need outweighs risk, therapy with methotrexate should be administered cautiously in patients with malignancy and hematopoietic impairment. Additionally, methotrexate should be used with extreme caution in patients with active infection, and it is usually contraindicated in patients with overt or laboratory evidence of immunodeficiency syndromes. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression or infection such as fever, sore throat, or bleeding. Clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

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Major

Methotrexate (applies to methotrexate) renal dysfunction

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Pleural Effusion

Methotrexate is primarily eliminated by the kidney via glomerular filtration and active secretion. Clearance rates for methotrexate vary and at higher doses are generally decreased due to saturation of renal tubular reabsorption. Renal impairment or third space effusion (ascites, pleural effusions), decrease elimination and increase methotrexate serum concentrations. Therapy with methotrexate should be administered cautiously and at reduced dosages in patients with compromised renal function. Administration of leucovorin reduces toxicity from high dose methotrexate regimens or delayed elimination. Clinical monitoring of renal function is recommended.

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Major

Methotrexate (applies to methotrexate) stomatitis

Major Potential Hazard, High plausibility. Applicable conditions: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Peptic Ulcer, Diarrhea

Methotrexate induces stomatitis within the oral mucosa and gastrointestinal tract. Therapy with methotrexate should be administered with extreme caution in patients with peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis. If vomiting, diarrhea or ulcerative stomatitis occur, treatment should be discontinued until recovery to avoid the risk of hemorraghic enteritis or intestinal perforation which could be fatal.

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Methotrexate drug interactions

There are 708 drug interactions with methotrexate.

Methotrexate alcohol/food interactions

There are 3 alcohol/food interactions with methotrexate.


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.