Methotrexate is the drug with the highest long-term continuation rate
in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, toxicity is the main reason
for methotrexate withdrawal. Most adverse effects are mild abnormalit
ies, such as digestive symptoms, stomatitis, elevations in transaminas
e levels, and moderate decreases in peripheral blood cell counts. Pote
ntially life-threatening effects include hypersensitivity pneumonitis
and pancytopenia. Cirrhosis is less common than in patients with psori
asis. Opportunistic infections and Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoma
s have been reported. Neurological disorders, cutaneous reactions and
renal lesions have been ascribed to low-dose methotrexate. Prior renal
dysfunction and concomitant administration of a number of drugs, incl
uding cotrimoxazole, have been shown to increase methotrexate toxicity
. However, susceptibility to the toxic effects of methotrexate varies
widely across individuals. The effectiveness of folate supplementation
in preventing methotrexate toxicity remains controversial.