TY - JOUR
T1 - Oral administration of an easily prepared solution of injectable methotrexate diluted in water
T2 - A comparison of serum concentrations vs methotrexate tablets and clinical utility
AU - Marshall, Peter S.
AU - Gertner, Elie
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Objective. To investigate whether the injectable formulation of methotrexate (MTX) given as an easily prepared oral solution of MTX diluted in water results in serum concentrations similar to those obtained with MTX tablets; to describe an easy and safe method of dispensing the drug. Methods. Six patients (5 women, 1 man) with rheumatoid arthritis were given 10 mg of liquid MTX orally. The liquid was prepared by diluting 0.4 ml of the injectable formulation of MTX (50 mg/2 ml) in 8 ounces of water. One to 2 weeks later these patients were given 10 mg of MTX in the tablet form. MTX serum concentrations were determined using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC), maximum concentration (C(max)), and the lime to reach maximum concentration (t(max)) were determined from the resulting concentration vs time curves. Results. There was no statistical difference in the variables measured (AUC, C(max), t(max)), demonstrating comparable concentrations with these 2 methods of MTX administration. Patients found the medication easy to administer, potential hazards with the use of needles were avoided, and the cost of the drug was greatly decreased. Conclusion. The administration of this easily prepared MTX solution is an alternative to the conventional administration of MTX tablets, and may be of particular benefit in patients with financial limitations.
AB - Objective. To investigate whether the injectable formulation of methotrexate (MTX) given as an easily prepared oral solution of MTX diluted in water results in serum concentrations similar to those obtained with MTX tablets; to describe an easy and safe method of dispensing the drug. Methods. Six patients (5 women, 1 man) with rheumatoid arthritis were given 10 mg of liquid MTX orally. The liquid was prepared by diluting 0.4 ml of the injectable formulation of MTX (50 mg/2 ml) in 8 ounces of water. One to 2 weeks later these patients were given 10 mg of MTX in the tablet form. MTX serum concentrations were determined using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC), maximum concentration (C(max)), and the lime to reach maximum concentration (t(max)) were determined from the resulting concentration vs time curves. Results. There was no statistical difference in the variables measured (AUC, C(max), t(max)), demonstrating comparable concentrations with these 2 methods of MTX administration. Patients found the medication easy to administer, potential hazards with the use of needles were avoided, and the cost of the drug was greatly decreased. Conclusion. The administration of this easily prepared MTX solution is an alternative to the conventional administration of MTX tablets, and may be of particular benefit in patients with financial limitations.
KW - Administration
KW - Methotrexate
KW - Pharmacokinetics
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
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M3 - Article
C2 - 8832982
AN - SCOPUS:0029897764
SN - 0315-162X
VL - 23
SP - 455
EP - 458
JO - Journal of Rheumatology
JF - Journal of Rheumatology
IS - 3
ER -