Can Methotrexate Cause Anemia?

Posted on Sun, 24 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 24 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am experiencing a shortness of breath when I am active. I have recently been prescribed Meth0trexate 2.5 mg 5 days a week. Prior to that the Prednisone was increase to 10 mg in am and 10 in pm. For PRM. I am wondering if the Methotrexate is causing the shortness of breath. Also I feel I am finding I am feeling weak for some unknown reason. Please advise and thank you. YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Methotrexate causes anemia. This is a possible cause!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I have reviewed this information fully. Methotrexate causes suppression of the bone marrow and production of blood cells including red blood cells. A drop in your hemoglobin is enough to produce shortness of breath during exercise. I will suggest that we do a control blood count to see what the blood cells readings are. Also, your doctor might want to consider getting you on folinic acid to compensate for the effects of this drug.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for further information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar