methotrexate + prednisolone

Methotrexate + prednisolone is a combination therapy consisting of methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), and prednisolone, a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid. This combination is used primarily in the management of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and polymyalgia rheumatica. Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, interfering with DNA synthesis and immune cell proliferation, thereby reducing inflammation. Prednisolone acts by binding to glucocorticoid receptors to suppress multiple inflammatory pathways and modulate immune responses. The combination aims to achieve better disease control, reduce flare-ups, enable lower steroid doses (steroid-sparing effect), and minimize long-term corticosteroid toxicity[1][2][3][4][5]. Clinical studies have shown that this regimen can lead to faster reduction in disease activity, less joint damage over time in RA patients, shorter duration of steroid use in polymyalgia rheumatica, and improved remission rates[1][2][3][4][5].

Brand names

PrednisoneMethotrexate

Other names

prednisoLONEMTXPDN