Methotrexate

Question 1

drug classification

Answer 1

antimetabolite
dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor

Question 2

used to treat

Answer 2

wide variety of cancers
severe psoriasis
severe rheumatoid arthritis
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Question 3

brand names

Answer 3

metoject
nordimet
otrexup

Question 4

methods of administration

Answer 4

given as a shot under the skin using a pre-filled injection pen
usually in the stomach or the thigh
tablets
liquid

Question 5

mechanism of action

Answer 5

enters tissues and is converted to methotrexate polyglutamate by folylpolyglutamate
competitively inhibits dihydrofolate reductase which inhibits enzymes responsible for nucleotide synthesis
prevents cell division
taken on different day to folic acid to reduce side effects

Question 6

side effects

Answer 6

mucositis
patients should report side effects associated with blood disorders: sore throat, bruising and mouth ulcers

Question 7

how does it link to the PBL case

Answer 7

drug used within maintenance therapy
given once weekly