Methods: evaluated the use of oral or IM low-dose methotrexate vs placebo in steroid-dependent asthma patients using either parallel or crossover design. 100 patients enrolled in study attending the ent and allergy centre(india)panchkulapatients were on long term steroid therapy for more than 1 years.age of patients between 30 to 50 years.study comparing methotrexate, 10 mg weekly orally, or placebo.
Results:
It was concluded that methotrexate allowed a good amount of reduction in oral corticosteroid compared to patients receiving placebo. The benefit of using methotrextate were very promising as compared to side effects of corticosteroids in steroid depoendent allergy diseaseshowever, and should be balanced against the potential for side-effects associated with the use of methotrexate.
Conclusions:
with low dose weekly therapy of metotrextate we can reduce the side effects of prolonged steroidshave suggested that methotrextate may have steroid-sparing benefits coupled to generally mild adverse events; although adverse effects were not of a serious nature they were observed in up to one-third of patients. Rare but potentially life-threatening adverse effects involving the pulmonary, hepatic and haematological systems remain of particular concern. methotrextateshould therefore be considered as an adjunct to high dose inhaled STEROIDS in patients who require more than 10mg of predenisolone daily, and who experience severe and unacceptable steroid-related adverse effects. Treatment should only be initiated by physicians with experience in the use of the drug, and the relevant safety parameters should be closely monitored.