Open AccessLow-dose methotrexate-induced acute interstitial pneumonitis: Report of two cases from South India and review of literature
Author(s) -
Ramya Iyyadurai,
Ronald Albert Benton Carey,
Sowmya Satyendra
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of family medicine and primary care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7135
pISSN - 2249-4863
DOI - 10.4103/2249-4863.201163
Subject(s) - medicine , methotrexate , interstitial pneumonitis , pneumonitis , antimetabolite , surgery , intensive care medicine , respiratory disease , lung
Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite used as a disease-modifying agent for various rheumatological conditions. We report two patients who were treated with daily low-dose MTX and developed acute interstitial pneumonitis requiring hospital admission. MTX-induced pneumonitis is a rare life-threatening side effect, high index of clinical suspicion is required, treatment is mainly withdrawal of MTX, supportive therapy, and adjunctive steroids, outcome is good if condition is recognized early, and appropriate treatment is given.