Methotrexate Use in Generalized Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis: A Case series

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) is an inexpensive and well-tolerated immunosuppressive medication that is used anecdotally in autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the efficacy in MG is unclear at this time. This retrospective analysis describes six patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody positive MG who were treated with MTX and corticosteroids. The efficacy of MTX was measured by steroid-sparing effect and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification. MTX initiation was associated with a reduction in prednisone dosage in all patients. Minimal manifestation status was reached at an average duration of 10 months in 5 patients.  No patients were hospitalized for myasthenia gravis exacerbations. There were no major side effects experienced with MTX use.  This retrospective analysis suggests that MTX is safe and probably efficacious as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in the management of MG.