Four-year experience with methotrexate exposures.

Abstract

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.