Single-dose methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy treatment: preliminary data

Acta Biomed. 2005 Apr;76(1):33-6.

Abstract

Background and aim of the work: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of a single-dose of MTX for ectopic pregnancy treatment in a sample of patients carefully selected according to strict inclusion criteria.

Methods: 11 patients that matched the inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Results: Beta-hCG at diagnosis averaged 1349 mIU/ml out of the 11 treated patients, 10 (90%) received a single dose of MTX and had a time of EP resolution averaging 27.3 days. The remaining patient received an additional dose of MTX, equal to the start dose, with a time resolution of 35 days.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the efficacy of MTX in EP treatment, both as therapy and as a form of clinical management: the successful medical management of EP, defined as beta-hCG levels becoming negative after administration of one or more MTX doses, was obtained in all treated cases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage*
  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / blood
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / drug therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Methotrexate