Four-year experience with methotrexate exposures

Introduction

Unintentional methotrexate (MTX) acute oral overdose is rarely reported.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all human exposure calls (> 150,000 charts) for MTX ingestions reported to our Poison Center during 2000–2003.

Results

Thirteen patients met the criteria. The average amount of MTX ingested was 13.03 mg (data from 7 cases), and the average patient age was 43 years (20 months to 80 years). No significant toxicities occurred.

Discussion

Although intravenous MTX toxicity can be severe, this does not appear to be a phenomenon associated with either acute unintentional or suicidal oral ingestion.