A review of nine clinical trials involving 974 patients compared two ways of taking methotrexate: oral and subcutaneous (under the skin). The study looked at how well each method worked for managing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and how they affected the body.
The findings showed that patients who received subcutaneous methotrexate had higher rates of improvement in their condition, specifically measured by ACR20 and ACR50 scores. Additionally, those receiving the injection experienced fewer gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, compared to those taking the pill. Other measures, like the amount of medicine in the blood or specific high-level improvement goals, did not show a significant difference between the two methods.
While subcutaneous methotrexate appears to be well-tolerated and effective, some results were less certain because of the limited data available for certain metrics. This finding suggests that injections could be a helpful option for patients who struggle with stomach problems or do not see enough progress on oral medication. You should talk to your doctor to see if this delivery method is right for your specific treatment plan.
