How do you calculate dosage for methotrexate?

Answer 1

In my particular case I would say that the rheumatolgist works to a general standard. due to the risks involved with the drug they like to use as little as possible so he started me of on 20 mg of prednisone which was reduced to 5 over time and 10mg of MTX to be taken once per week. (it is best to take it prior to a non working day as it can make some people feel a little seedy) this is done while checking with blood tests for adverse reactions. at first I had blood tests done on a monthly basis and there were no particularly adverse signs. My condition improved and it seemed as though it was going into remission for a while. however at a certain point I noted that there was a return of some inflammation. ( by this time I was having blood tests every 3 months) So the hematologist increased the dosage to 15 mg once a week. there was an improvement, however not as good as we would have liked so at this point he did not raise the dosage but prescribed 200mg Plaquinil twice a day. As I said earlier MTX is great stuff for helping to keep RA under control they would rather use as little as possible. Aside from a few slightly annoying side effects this regime seems to be keeping the situation under control.