A Survey of Canadian Gastroenterologists about the Use of Methotrexate in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is effective in remission induction and maintenance in steroid-dependent Crohn's disease (CD), but is often considered to be a second-line immunosuppressive agent, to be used in cases of failure or intolerance to azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). This...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nilesh Chande, Terry Ponich, James Gregor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2005-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2005/382379
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is effective in remission induction and maintenance in steroid-dependent Crohn's disease (CD), but is often considered to be a second-line immunosuppressive agent, to be used in cases of failure or intolerance to azathioprine (AZA) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). This may be related to concerns about hepatotoxicity, but this adverse effect is rare in monitored CD patients taking MTX. Still, there are no guidelines for monitoring patients with CD on MTX, and physicians must decide based on rheumatological literature about how to monitor their patients.
ISSN:0835-7900