Is methotrexate effective in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis?

Methotrexate is used as an anti rheumatic medicine to treat psoriatic arthritis For moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis, long-term low-dose oral administration of this drug usually has some effect In most countries, the drug is only available by prescription Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of incurable autoimmune disease Under normal circumstances, it has severe attack and remission cycle Treatment should be based on this change It usually starts with psoriasis, a skin condition, followed by arthritis, a painful swelling of the joints The combination of these two diseases will make people weak and painful, so it is suggested to intervene treatment as early as possible The initial treatment includes prescription drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, immune mechanism agents, and methotrexate and other anti rheumatic drugs The doctor will choose the appropriate treatment according to the specific situation of the patient When making a decision, factors such as the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the disease will be considered The mechanism of methotrexate in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis is twofold In arthritis, it suppresses the immune system and prevents inflammation associated with arthritis For psoriasis, methotrexate can prevent the formation of skin cells that cause scaling It is usually treated with methotrexate in a low dose, such as 1-3 times a week If methotrexate is used for the treatment of very serious psoriatic arthritis, the injection method is the best at first, and then oral Like any drug, methotrexate has side effects, most of which are dose-dependent, which is the important reason why it can not be overdosed Common side effects include headache, diarrhea and decreased blood cells Blood cell count should be observed during long-term treatment Methotrexate may interact with other drugs Therefore, doctors should be informed of other drugs and health care products being taken Pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who want to be pregnant should also consult a doctor When taking methotrexate to treat psoriatic arthritis, drinking alcohol should be avoided, because methotrexate may increase the risk of adverse reactions.