At what stage in pregnancy can I have methotrexate?
Methotrexate* is most effective in the earlier stages of pregnancy, usually when the hCG level is below 3000. The risk of rupture is higher in pregnancies with levels greater than this. However, in cornual ectopic pregnancy it is not unusual to try to treat with higher levels. With ectopic pregnancy*, it is not really the stage of pregnancy (as in the number of weeks gestation), but the size of the ectopic, which can vary over the first few weeks depending on the rate of growth, that is important. For a more detailed understanding of when Methotrexate might be considered, both this protocol and the Greentop Guideline 21 might be helpful. More information about methotrexate can be found on our message forums.
