Short term methotrexate therapy in psoriasis.

Data on 82 psoriatics (62 males and 20 females) with either chronic recalcitrant, erythrodermic, generalized pustular or severe palmoplantar psoriasis treated with methotrexate (MTX) have been reviewed. MTX was given in a single oral weekly dose of 3.75-30 mg based on body weight. Seven patients with a relative contraindication for MTX use were also treated safely with MTX. An attempt was made to withdraw MTX as quickly as possible with the intention of providing drug free period of 4-6 months coinciding this period with the seasonal remissions in disease activity. MTX could be withdrawn in up to 90 per cent patients within an average of 25 wk. The total cumulative dose could also be reduced by this method as also the need to repeat liver biopsies.