methotrexate

American  

[meth-oh-trek-seyt] / ˌmɛθ oʊˈtrɛk seɪt /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a toxic folic acid analogue, C 2 0 H 2 2 N 8 O 5 , that inhibits cellular reproduction, used primarily in the treatment of psoriasis and certain cancers and as an immunosuppressive agent.

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methotrexate British  

/ ˌmɛθəʊˈtrɛkseɪt, ˌmiːθəʊ- /

noun

1. an antimetabolite drug used in the treatment of certain cancers. Formula: C 20 H 22 N 8 O 5

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methotrexate Scientific  

/ mĕth′ə-trĕk′sāt /

1. A toxic drug that acts as a folic acid antagonist to interfere with cellular reproduction and is used in the treatment of psoriasis, certain cancers, and certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemical formula: C ₂₀ H ₂₂ N ₈ O ₅ .

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Etymology

Origin of methotrexate

1950–55; metho(xy)- + trexate, of unclear derivation

Example Sentences

The study led by King's College London, compared the safety and efficacy of ciclosporin with methotrexate in children and young people with this debilitating skin condition.

From Science Daily • Sep. 19, 2023

When Isabella’s second cycle of treatment began June 5, clinicians advised that she would be getting less than the full dose because of a methotrexate shortage, said her father, Brent.

From Scientific American • Jun. 21, 2023

A recent case in point was Intas Pharmaceuticals, a company in India that makes three key chemotherapy drugs that are difficult to find: methotrexate, carboplatin and cisplatin, the drug Mr. Dwars needed.

From New York Times • May 17, 2023

On the day we spoke in November, Liedtke said she had gone to three different pharmacies in town to try to get a prescription filled for methotrexate.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2023

Me, you, Daddy — this is going to be great Wait till my methotrexate drip starts: We’ll get to watch Shrek and Peter Pan right IN A ROW if we want!

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick