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01-05-2000 | Original Research Article

Are There Differences in Methotrexate Kinetics Between Responding and Nonresponding Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Authors: Dr Domenico Capone, Angelo Spanò, Antonio Gentile, Giuseppe Ferrara, Elena Itto, Giuseppe Palmiero, Vincenzo Basile, Pasquale Oriente

Published in: BioDrugs | Issue 5/2000

Abstract

Objective and Study Design

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of a correlation between methotrexate pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients and Methods

The study was carried out in 29 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The patients received intramuscular methotrexate (MTX) 7.5mg once a week for 8 weeks. Before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours after the first administration, MTX serum concentrations were measured and pharmacokinetic investigations were carried out. The clinical status of the disease was evaluated before and after 8 weeks of therapy. In addition, before and after 2 and 8 weeks of treatment, the patients were monitored for a complete biochemical profile. After 8 weeks of treatment, on the basis of improvement in clinical parameters, the patients were designated responders or nonresponders.

Results

A clinical response was obtained in 62% of patients (18 patients responded and 11 did not) and was associated with a low incidence of adverse effects. There were no differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of MTX between the 2 groups of patients (responders vs nonresponders), except that t_max was significantly higher in nonresponders than in responders (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data confirm the efficacy and tolerability of low dose MTX in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the short term, but appear to exclude a relationship between MTX kinetics and clinical response.

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Title: Are There Differences in Methotrexate Kinetics Between Responding and Nonresponding Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Authors: Dr Domenico Capone
Angelo Spanò
Antonio Gentile
Giuseppe Ferrara
Elena Itto
Giuseppe Palmiero
Vincenzo Basile
Pasquale Oriente
Publication date: 01-05-2000
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: BioDrugs / Issue 5/2000
Print ISSN: 1173-8804
Electronic ISSN: 1179-190X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00063030-200013050-00007

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Are There Differences in Methotrexate Kinetics Between Responding and Nonresponding Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Abstract

Objective and Study Design

Patients and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective and Study Design

Patients and Methods

Results

Conclusions

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