METHOTREXATE HYDRATE Meaning and
Definition
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Methotrexate hydrate is a pharmaceutical compound that is widely used in the medical field as an anti-cancer agent and immunosuppressant. It is categorized as a cytotoxic drug due to its ability to inhibit the growth and division of cells, particularly rapidly dividing cancer cells and immune cells.
The term "methotrexate hydrate" refers to the specific form of methotrexate drug that contains water molecules within its crystal structure. The presence of water molecules, denoted as "hydrate," affects the physical and chemical properties of the compound, such as solubility and stability.
Methotrexate hydrate acts by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is responsible for converting dihydrofolate into tetrahydrofolate. As a result, the drug disrupts the synthesis of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, necessary for cell replication. This mechanism interferes with the growth of cancer cells, thereby impeding tumor progression.
In addition to its anti-cancer activity, methotrexate hydrate is also employed as an immunosuppressant in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease. It suppresses the activity of immune cells responsible for inflammation by reducing their proliferation and function.
As with any medication, methotrexate hydrate may cause side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, hair loss, and suppression of bone marrow function. Dosage and administration of this drug vary depending on the condition being treated, and it is normally prescribed and monitored by healthcare professionals with expertise in oncology or autoimmune disorders.
Common Misspellings for METHOTREXATE HYDRATE
- nethotrexate hydrate
- kethotrexate hydrate
- jethotrexate hydrate
- mwthotrexate hydrate
- msthotrexate hydrate
- mdthotrexate hydrate
- mrthotrexate hydrate
- m4thotrexate hydrate
- m3thotrexate hydrate
- merhotrexate hydrate
- mefhotrexate hydrate
- meghotrexate hydrate
- meyhotrexate hydrate
- me6hotrexate hydrate
- me5hotrexate hydrate
- metgotrexate hydrate
- metbotrexate hydrate
- metnotrexate hydrate
- metjotrexate hydrate
- metuotrexate hydrate
Etymology of METHOTREXATE HYDRATE
The word "Methotrexate" has its etymology rooted in the chemical components of the drug. "Metho-" likely refers to "methanol", an organic compound used in the synthesis of methotrexate. The "-trexate" part is derived from the word "teropterin", an organic compound related to certain amino acids that served as a precursor in the development of methotrexate.
The term "Hydrate" is added to the name to indicate that the drug is in a hydrated form, meaning it contains water molecules within its chemical structure. Methotrexate can exist in different forms, such as anhydrous or hydrate, depending on the presence or absence of water molecules.
Therefore, "Methotrexate Hydrate" denotes a form of methotrexate that contains water molecules within its chemical composition.
