Concurrent acute megaloblastic anaemia and pneumonitis: a severe side-effect of low-dose methotrexate therapy during rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Rheumatol. 1993 Dec;12(4):535-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02231787.

Abstract

In a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, we report the first simultaneous occurrence of two side effects of low-dose methotrexate: an acute megaloblastic anaemia and a pneumonitis. A combination of methotrexate suspension, folinic acid and corticosteroids led to recovery. The correlation between the haematologic and pneumologic toxicity is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / chemically induced*
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / therapeutic use*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Prednisolone
  • Leucovorin
  • Methotrexate