Which nutrient's need may be impacted by methotrexate therapy?

Which nutrient's need may be impacted by methotrexate therapy?

• A. Vitamin C
• B. Folic acid
• C. Calcium
• D. Iron

Answer: (B)

Methotrexate disrupts folate metabolism by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, which lowers the availability of tetrahydrofolate needed for thymidylate and purine synthesis. Because DNA synthesis hinges on folate-derived nucleotides, methotrexate can create a functional folate deficiency. As a result, the body's need for folic acid increases during therapy, and supplementation helps protect normal cells from toxicity. In some regimens, clinicians also use folinic acid rescue to further mitigate toxicity. Other nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, and iron aren’t directly affected by methotrexate’s mechanism, so their needs aren’t typically altered by this drug.

Methotrexate disrupts folate metabolism by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, which lowers the availability of tetrahydrofolate needed for thymidylate and purine synthesis. Because DNA synthesis hinges on folate-derived nucleotides, methotrexate can create a functional folate deficiency. As a result, the body's need for folic acid increases during therapy, and supplementation helps protect normal cells from toxicity. In some regimens, clinicians also use folinic acid rescue to further mitigate toxicity. Other nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, and iron aren’t directly affected by methotrexate’s mechanism, so their needs aren’t typically altered by this drug.