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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods
Published on: September 10, 2018
[Efficacy and side effects of methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy]
Ya-xia Chen1, Yu-yan Mao, Xing Xie
1Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Objective:
To study the efficacy and side effects of methotrexate with different protocols in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP).
Methods:
Total of 648 patients who had EP and were treated only with MTX were analysed. Patients were divided into six groups according to protocol: Group 1, 100 mg intravenously (IV); Group 2, 100 mg, IV, followed by citrovorum factor; Group 3, 20 mg, IV every day for five days; Group 4, 20 mg intramusculary (IM) every day for five days; Group 5, 75 mg, IV; Group 6, 75 mg, IM.
Results:
The rates of repeated MTX injection in group 1 - 6 because of inadequate decrease of hCG were 23.3%, 25.0%, 21.4%, 20.6%, 24.4% and 22.4% respectively. Success rates were 87.4%, 85.4%, 90.5%, 92.6%, 86.3% and 91.4% respectively. Rates of liver dysfunction were 10.3%, 8.3%, 64.3%, 69.1%, 8.7% and 31.0%.
Conclusion:
Single-dose of 75 mg MTX IV injection may be the best regimen in the treatment of EP because of the same efficacy but the least side effects.
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