FDA approves easy-to-use injectable methotrexate for RA, psoriasis, juvenile arthritis

EWING, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Antares Pharma for treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, the drug maker said Monday.

Antares announced the approval of Otrexup, a version of the common arthritis drug methotrexate — commonly referred to as MTX — that is designed for once-weekly injection underneath the skin by the patient and marketed in an easy-to-use, disposable automatic injection device. The drug is meant for adults with severe RA who have had inadequate responses to full-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or pJIA, and adults with psoriasis.

"This new delivery system for methotrexate provides a welcome option for physicians and their patients to continue effective use of methotrexate," University of Colorado School of Medicine medical professor Michael Schiff said. "Otrexup can be used when a response is inadequate or there are tolerability issues with oral methotrexate, before adding or switching to costlier therapies."