Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 198, 83 - 85 (2005)
Published online: 22 January 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4811972
Methotrexate and oral ulceration
G M J Deeming1, J Collingwood2 & M N Pemberton3
- Methotrexate is increasingly being used in the management of chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
- Dental practitioners are likely to encounter paitients taking long-term methotrexate therapy.
- Methotrexate has the ability to cause oral ulceration and dental practioners should be alert to this possible adverse effect.
Abstract
Methotrexate is well established in the drug treatment of various neoplastic diseases. More recently it has become increasingly used as a once-weekly, low-dose treatment of disorders such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in these conditions and it is likely that dentists will encounter patients taking this drug in general dental practice. Oral ulceration can occur as a side effect of methotrexate therapy. This may be due to lack of folic acid supplementation or overdosage due to confusion regarding its once-weekly regime. Illustrations of these problems, which have initially presented in a dental setting, are given. Important drug interactions of methotrexate relevant to dentistry are discussed.
- Clinical Fellow, Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH
- Senior House Officer, Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH
- Consultant, Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH
Correspondence to: M N Pemberton3 e-mail: mike.pemberton@man.ac.uk