Methotrexate for Maintenance of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis
August 2015
in “
Cochrane library
”
Studysummary This systematic review reports that there is currently no evidence supporting methotrexate for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis; further large-scale trials are needed to assess its efficacy and safety.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document reviewed the efficacy of methotrexate for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. It included data from several trials with a total of 165 patients, comparing methotrexate to placebo and other treatments like sulfasalazine, 6-mercaptopurine, and 5-aminosalicylic acid. The results showed no significant differences in remission maintenance, with the evidence quality rated as low to very low due to small sample sizes and high risk of bias. Adverse events such as leucopenia, migraine, nausea, and mild alopecia were reported. The review concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of methotrexate for this purpose and recommended further large-scale, methodologically rigorous trials.
