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 patients were given oral doses of methotrexate or ciclosporin and assessed over nine months of treatment and six months after the therapy ended.

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

What does it mean for drugs like methotrexate?

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2023

We ate lunch while Jeffrey was getting his methotrexate, whatever that was.

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