Methotrexate: underused and ignored?

Dig Dis. 2012;30 Suppl 3(0 3):112-8. doi: 10.1159/000342735. Epub 2013 Jan 3.

Abstract

For more than a decade, methotrexate has been known to be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of steroid-dependent active Crohn's disease. However, international data on medication utilization suggest that this drug is rarely used in clinical practice for an indication of Crohn's disease. This review investigates the potential reasons for the underuse of methotrexate in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Azathioprine / economics
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / economics
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy*
  • Crohn Disease / economics
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / economics
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Patient Preference
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Azathioprine
  • Methotrexate