Health Information
Methotrexate for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
What To Think About
Children who are taking methotrexate should not take other medicines without the approval of the doctor who is treating their JIA. Methotrexate interacts dangerously with certain other medicines. Methotrexate should not be used in children who have chronic liver disease. Some children with kidney disease can take methotrexate, but they require an adjusted dose and careful monitoring.
Frequent blood monitoring for blood cell counts and liver function enzymes should be done during methotrexate therapy.
Methotrexate may increase the risk for certain infections, such as Reference shingles Opens New Window and Reference pneumonia Opens New Window.
Methotrexate has been shown to be safe for long-term use in most children, but it is still usually tapered off and stopped about 1 year after Reference remission Opens New Window.Reference 2
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| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 5, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
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