Methotrexate 10 mg tablets

Below are the database queries which are used to create this measure. These are run against a copy of the BSA prescribing data which we store in Google BigQuery. We're working on making our BigQuery tables publicly available at which point it will be possible to run and modify these queries yourself. But even where code and database queries are not directly useable by others we believe it is always preferable to make them public.

Description Prescribing of methotrexate 10mg tablets as a percentage of prescribing of all methotrexate tablets
Why it matters The BNF states: Note that the dose is a weekly dose.To avoid error with low-dose methotrexate, it is recommended that:
  • the patient is carefully advised of the dose and frequency and the reason for taking methotrexate and any other prescribed medicine (e.g.folic acid);
  • Prescribe only if no other item or intervention is clinically appropriate.
  • Prescribe only if no other item or intervention is available.
  • the prescription and the dispensing label clearly show the dose and frequency of methotrexate administration;
  • the patient or their carer is warned to report immediately the onset of any feature of blood disorders (e.g. sore throat, bruising, and mouth ulcers), liver toxicity (e.g. nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and dark urine), and respiratory effects (e.g. shortness of breath)
    • .

You can read more in our paper on trends and variation in unsafe prescribing of methotrexate.
Tags Standard, Safety
Implies cost savings No
Authored by richard.croker
Checked by andrew.brown
Last reviewed 2024-02-12
Next review due 2026-02-12
History View change history on GitHub →

Numerator SQL

SELECT
     CAST(month AS DATE) AS month,
     practice AS practice_id,
     SUM(items) AS numerator
 FROM hscic.normalised_prescribing
 WHERE bnf_code IN ("1001030U0AAACAC", "1001030U0BDABAC")
 GROUP BY month, practice_id

Denominator SQL

SELECT
     CAST(month AS DATE) AS month,
     practice AS practice_id,
     SUM(items) AS denominator
 FROM hscic.normalised_prescribing
 WHERE bnf_code IN ("1001030U0AAABAB", "1001030U0AAACAC", "1001030U0BDAAAB", "1001030U0BDABAC")
 GROUP BY month, practice_id
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