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{{drugbox-detailed |drug = Methotrexate |image1 = Methotrexate.svg |size1 = 350 |INN = methotrexate |image2 = 3EIG - Methotrexate4.png |size2 = 250 |synonyms = 4-amino-10-methylfolic acid, 4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methylpteroyl-l-glutamic acid, α-methopterin, CL-14377, MTX, NSC-740, WR-19039 |tradenames = Methaccord, Methoblastin, Rheumatrex, Trexall |IUPAC = (2S)-2-[(4-{[(2,4-diaminopteridin-6-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}phenyl)formamido]pentanedioic acid |ChemSpider_ID = 112728 |DrugBank_ID = DB00563 |PubChem_CID = 126941 |C = 20 | H = 22 | N = 8 | O =5 |mass = 454.4393 g/mol |SMILES = CN(CC1=CN=C2N=C(N)N=C(N)C2=N1)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(O)=O)C(O)=O |jmolid = methotrexate |InChI = 1S/C20H22N8O5/c1-28(9-11-8-23-17-15(24-11)16(21)26-20(22)27-17)12-4-2-10(3-5-12)18(31)25-13(19(32)33)6-7-14(29)30/h2-5,8,13H,6-7,9H2,1H3,(H,25,31)(H,29,30)(H,32,33)(H4,21,22,23,26,27)/t13-/m0/s1 |InChI-key = FBOZXECLQNJBKD-ZDUSSCGKSA-N |pdb4 = 3EIG|method4 = X|pdb1 = 1DLS|method1=X|pdb2=1U72|method2=X|pdb3=4KN0|method3=X |MeSH_ID = D008727 |routes = Oral, IM, IV, SC, IT |pregnancy_AU = D |pregnancy_US = X |legal_AU = S4 |legal_CA = Rx-only |legal_UK = POM |legal_US = Rx-only |USAN = methotrexate|USAN_val = 1 |AAN = methotrexate|BAN = methotrexate |MSR_ID = trexall-methotrexate-343201 |MedlinePlus_ID = a682019 |ATC_code = L01BA01 |titlew = 30% }}

Methotrexate is an antifolate that inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) that converts the dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate (THF). THF is required for the synthesis of pyrimidines like those found in DNA and RNA.[1] It is used in the management of several cancers such as bladder, brain, breast and head and neck cancers, acute leukaemias (including lymphoblastic and myeloid), non-Hodgkin lymphomas and osteosarcomas, along with autoimmune disorders like graft-versus-host disease, severe and/or unresponsive cases of psoriasis, moderate-severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis (at a low once weekly dose), sarcoidosis that is unresponsive to corticosteroids, ectopic pregnancy, polymyositis, dermatomyositis and inflammatory bowel disease.[2][3]


External links[]

Reference list[]

  1. Brayfield, A, ed. (6 January 2014). "Methotrexate". Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. London, UK: Pharmaceutical Press. Retrieved 17 November 2014. 
  2. Rossi, S, ed. (July 2014). "Methotrexate". Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide, Australia: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd. Retrieved 17 November 2014. 
  3. Trevillian, P (August 2006). "Immunosuppressants - clinical applications". Australian Prescriber 29 (4): 102–8. ISSN 0312-8008. 
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