Methotrexate

WHAT IS IT?

Methotrexate is a folate/folic acid antagonist. It is structurally similar to folic acid and competitively and irreversibly inhibits dihdyrofolate reductase (DHFR), preventing the usage of folic acid for nucleic acid synthesis. 

Methotrexate inhibits DHFR which prevents folic acid from being used for nucleic acid synthesis (source)
WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Ectopic pregnancy: this medication is the drug of choice for non-surgical treatment of an early, enrapture ectopic pregnancy. Folic acid is a required precursor for nucleic acid synthesis, and antagonizing it’s metabolic pathway is effective in terminating a pregnancy. 

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
 

 

Page Updated: 04.05.2017