Methotrexate for Psoriasis

Common temporary side effects include:

• Nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Low blood counts.

Less common temporary side effects include:

• Sunburn if you are exposed to large doses of sunlight or Reference ultraviolet (UV) light Opens New Window either before or after taking the drug.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and occasional blood in the stools.
• Mouth sores.
• Easy bruising and bleeding.
• Skin rash or sores.
• Headaches.
• Chills and fever.
• Lightheadedness.
• Birth defects (if taken by a woman who is pregnant or who becomes pregnant while taking the medicine).

Long-term side effects include liver damage. If it is not severe, the damage reverses after you stop taking methotrexate. The risk of liver damage is higher if you drink a lot of alcohol, have kidney or liver problems or diabetes, or are overweight.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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