Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) for Lupus

Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy drug and immune system suppressant designed to treat cancer. Methotrexate is a medication that interferes with the growth of rapidly reproducing cells in the body. This includes cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells. An early variation of the drug, aminopterin was initially developed in 1947 by researchers led by Sidney Farber. It was a chemical analog of folic acid. Methotrexate, proposed as a treatment for leukemia in 1950, was a further variation on folic acid. The medication was proposed as a treatment for leukemia and, by 1956, was found in animal studies to be more effective than aminopterin. Additionally, Jane C. Wright showed that methotrexate had benefit in reducing solid tumors, and showing remission in breast cancer. In the late 1980s, methotrexate was approved by the FDA for arthritis. It is not specifically approved for lupus, but data suggests that it’s one of the top immunosuppressants prescribed. Type: DMARDs Methotrexate is known as a DMARD or Disease-Modifying Antiheumatic Drug. These are immunosuppressive medications that treat pain and swelling. These medications also decrease the longterm damage to joints. Brand names: Rheumatrex Dose Pack; Trexall

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