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[Pancytopenia induced by two low-dose injections of methotrexate in a patient treated for ulcerative colitis]
[Article in French]
Service d'hépatogastroentérologie, Centre hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite.
A 72 year-old man with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis was treated with methotrexate at 25 mg subcutaneous weekly. Three days after the second injection of methotrexate a pancytopenia occurred associated with a Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia which evolution was favourable under treatment. Pancytopenia is a rare but severe adverse effect of low-dose methotrexate therapy. In our patient the risk factors were age upper than 65 years, renal insufficiency and hypoalbuminemia. This report emphasizes the need for a close monitoring of hematologic tests after onset of methotrexate particularly if some risk factors are present.
PMID: 18176366 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Patient Drug Information
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Methotrexate (Rheumatrex® , Trexall® )
Methotrexate is used to treat severe psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body) that cannot be controlled by other treatments. Methotrexate is also used along with rest, physica...
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Folic Acid (Folvite® )
Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folic acid deficiency. It is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin causes certain types of anemia (low red blood cell c...
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Methotrexate Injection
Your doctor has ordered the drug methotrexate to help treat your illness. The drug can be given by injection into a vein or a large muscle. In special situations, it may be injected into the spinal cord.