Final answer:
Methotrexate, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, can cause serious side effects including gastrointestinal issues, liver damage, bone marrow suppression, immunosuppression, pulmonary toxicity, and dermatologic reactions. It may also lead to temporary or permanent sterility, and it is teratogenic. The drug's broad impact on cell growth due to its chemotherapy properties explains the side effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Methotrexate is a commonly prescribed medication for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has various potential side effects. Significant side effects include gastrointestinal toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can lead to lethal intestinal perforation. Hepatotoxicity is another grave concern, with long-term use potentially leading to liver fibrosis. Hematologic effects such as anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia are also of note due to methotrexate's impact on bone marrow. Patients may experience immunosuppression, increasing the risk of infections.
The medication can cause pulmonary toxicity, presenting as a nonproductive cough and progressive dyspnea. Teratogenic effects must be considered for those planning to conceive, and the medication can cause temporary or permanent sterility in men and women, respectively. Furthermore, patients on methotrexate should be monitored for dermatologic reactions, including photosensitivity and rare serious skin reactions. To mitigate these risks, patients are often prescribed folic acid in conjunction with methotrexate.
These side effects are associated with the drug's mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting cell growth and suppressing the immune system to reduce inflammation in the joints affected by RA. Since it is also a chemotherapy agent used in higher doses for cancer treatment, its broad impact on rapidly dividing cells explains the wide range of potential side effects.