Gastrointestinal Adverse Events of Methotrexate: A Descriptive Study

Background: Methotrexate is widely used in the treatment of neoplasms, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis but it can cause several adverse events. The gastrointestinal system is where methotrexate side effects occur most frequently. The aim of the study was to describe the reported gastrointestinal adverse events of methotrexate. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive analysis that was conducted to analyze gastrointestinal adverse events of methotrexate that were reported to the Food and Drug Administration or to the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Methotrexate use has been linked to gastrointestinal side effects such as Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Stomach Pain, Stomatitis and Mouth Ulcers. Conclusion: Methotrexate can be effective and safe when used and monitored properly, therefore it's critical to periodically check on patients and inform them of the side effects of methotrexate use and how to prevent or manage them.