This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Methotrexate is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. It slows down your body's immune system and helps reduce swelling (inflammation).
It's used to treat inflammatory conditions, including:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- psoriasis (including psoriatic arthritis)
- Crohn's disease
It can also be prescribed for cancer.
Methotrexate is available on prescription only.
It comes as tablets, a liquid that you swallow, and pre-filled injection pens or syringes that you inject into your skin. Your specialist doctor may recommend injections if the tablets or liquid are not working for you.
It can also be given as an injection to treat some types of cancer. This is usually done in hospital.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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