Pediatric case of accidental oral overdose of methotrexate. 1999

B N Gibbon, and D E Manthey
Department of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, TX, USA. bgibbon@clarksville.net

Methotrexate is a chemotherapy antimetabolite, folic acid antagonist, that inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase resulting in decreased levels of tetrahydrofolate in the cells. This in turn blocks synthesis of thymidylate, a nucleotide necessary for DNA synthesis. It is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Toxicity from overdose can affect multiple organ systems including bone marrow, liver, intestinal tract, kidneys, lungs, skin, and blood vessels, resulting in death in severe cases. Methotrexate is widely used to treat neoplastic disease, dermatologic disorders (psoriasis), and rheumatologic disorders (severe rheumatoid arthritis). As its indications for use increase, more accidental overdoses can be expected. We present the treatment and clinical course of one such case, that of a 2-year-old who accidentally took her grandmother's arthritis pills. Her initial serum level was 10 times greater than that needed to cause toxicity. She was treated with gastric lavage, activated charcoal, leucovorin rescue, and ICU admission. Her clinical course was unremarkable, and the only evidence of toxicity was a mild elevation in a liver-associated enzyme that resolved without any clinical sequela. Leucovorin at a dose equal to or greater than the possible ingestion should be given as soon as possible in methotrexate overdoses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008727 Methotrexate An antineoplastic antimetabolite with immunosuppressant properties. It is an inhibitor of TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE and prevents the formation of tetrahydrofolate, necessary for synthesis of thymidylate, an essential component of DNA. Amethopterin,Methotrexate Hydrate,Methotrexate Sodium,Methotrexate, (D)-Isomer,Methotrexate, (DL)-Isomer,Methotrexate, Dicesium Salt,Methotrexate, Disodium Salt,Methotrexate, Sodium Salt,Mexate,Dicesium Salt Methotrexate,Hydrate, Methotrexate,Sodium, Methotrexate
D011041 Poisoning A condition or physical state produced by the ingestion, injection, inhalation of or exposure to a deleterious agent. Poisonings
D002955 Leucovorin The active metabolite of FOLIC ACID. Leucovorin is used principally as an antidote to FOLIC ACID ANTAGONISTS. Calcium Leucovorin,Citrovorum Factor,Folinic Acid,N(5)-Formyltetrahydrofolate,5-Formyltetrahydrofolate,5-Formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate,Calcium Folinate,Folinic Acid-SF,Leucovorin, (D)-Isomer,Leucovorin, (DL)-Isomer,Leucovorin, (R)-Isomer,Leucovorin, Calcium (1:1) Salt,Leucovorin, Calcium (1:1) Salt, (DL)-Isomer,Leucovorin, Calcium (1:1) Salt, Pentahydrate,Leucovorin, Monosodium Salt,Leukovorin,Leukovorum,Wellcovorin,5 Formyltetrahydrofolate,5 Formyltetrahydropteroylglutamate,Acid, Folinic,Factor, Citrovorum,Folinate, Calcium,Folinic Acid SF,Leucovorin, Calcium,Monosodium Salt Leucovorin
D004638 Emergency Treatment First aid or other immediate intervention for accidents or medical conditions requiring immediate care and treatment before definitive medical and surgical management can be procured. Emergency Therapy,Therapy, Emergency,Emergency Therapies,Emergency Treatments,Therapies, Emergency,Treatment, Emergency,Treatments, Emergency
D005493 Folic Acid Antagonists Inhibitors of the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase (TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE), which converts dihydrofolate (FH2) to tetrahydrofolate (FH4). They are frequently used in cancer chemotherapy. (From AMA, Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p2033) Antifolate,Antifolates,Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitor,Folic Acid Antagonist,Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors,Folic Acid Metabolism Inhibitors,Acid Antagonist, Folic,Acid Antagonists, Folic,Antagonist, Folic Acid,Antagonists, Folic Acid,Inhibitor, Dihydrofolate Reductase,Inhibitors, Dihydrofolate Reductase,Reductase Inhibitor, Dihydrofolate,Reductase Inhibitors, Dihydrofolate
D005751 Gastric Lavage Medical procedure involving the emptying of contents in the stomach through the use of a tube inserted through the nose or mouth. It is performed to remove poisons or relieve pressure due to intestinal blockages or during surgery. Irrigation, Gastric,Lavage, Gastric,Gastric Irrigation,Gastric Irrigations,Gastric Lavages,Irrigations, Gastric,Lavages, Gastric
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000931 Antidotes Agents counteracting or neutralizing the action of POISONS. Antidote,Theriacs
D000964 Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic Antimetabolites that are useful in cancer chemotherapy. Antineoplastic Antimetabolites
D018501 Antirheumatic Agents Drugs that are used to treat RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Anti-Rheumatic Agent,Anti-Rheumatic Drug,Antirheumatic Agent,Antirheumatic Disease-Modifying Second-Line Drug,Antirheumatic Drug,DMARD,Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug,Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs,Anti-Rheumatic Agents,Anti-Rheumatic Agents, Non-Steroidal,Anti-Rheumatic Drugs,Antirheumatic Disease-Modifying Second-Line Drugs,Antirheumatic Drugs,Antirheumatic Drugs, Disease-Modifying,Disease-Modifying, Antirheumatic Second-Line Drugs,Agent, Anti-Rheumatic,Agent, Antirheumatic,Anti Rheumatic Agent,Anti Rheumatic Agents,Anti Rheumatic Agents, Non Steroidal,Anti Rheumatic Drug,Anti Rheumatic Drugs,Antirheumatic Disease Modifying Second Line Drug,Antirheumatic Disease Modifying Second Line Drugs,Antirheumatic Drug, Disease-Modifying,Antirheumatic Drugs, Disease Modifying,Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug,Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs,Disease Modifying, Antirheumatic Second Line Drugs,Drug, Anti-Rheumatic,Drug, Antirheumatic,Drug, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic,Non-Steroidal Anti-Rheumatic Agents

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