Methotrexate is best described as which of the following?

Methotrexate is best described as which of the following?

• A. Antibiotic used to treat pneumonia.
• B. Antineoplastic and immunosuppressant used for malignancies, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and abortions.
• C. Short-acting analgesic for pain control.
• D. Antiviral agent used for influenza.

Answer: (B)

Methotrexate is best described as an antineoplastic and immunosuppressant. It acts as a folate antagonist, inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase and blocking DNA synthesis, which explains its use against certain cancers. At lower doses, it dampens immune system activity by reducing lymphocyte proliferation, making it effective for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and it can be used in medical abortion contexts to halt rapidly dividing trophoblastic tissue. It is not an antibiotic, analgesic, or antiviral, so those categories don’t apply to its primary actions.

Methotrexate is best described as an antineoplastic and immunosuppressant. It acts as a folate antagonist, inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase and blocking DNA synthesis, which explains its use against certain cancers. At lower doses, it dampens immune system activity by reducing lymphocyte proliferation, making it effective for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and it can be used in medical abortion contexts to halt rapidly dividing trophoblastic tissue. It is not an antibiotic, analgesic, or antiviral, so those categories don’t apply to its primary actions.