Skin assessment
- Medical questionnaire and photo review
- Personalized treatment plan
- Prescription when appropriate
CA$175
per consultation
Modern Dermatology
Methotrexate
Prescription only
Methotrexate assessed online
Methotrexate is an oral medicine for psoriasis and some severe eczema. Your clinician first checks if online care is suitable. It needs regular blood tests, and some people need specialist care.
Start my assessmentAt a glance
- Oral tablet (methotrexate)
- For psoriasis and severe eczema
- Schedule set by your clinician
Why Modern Dermatology
- Canadian-licensed medical professionals, 100% online
- Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy or delivered
- Follow-up and refills through your Care Team
Methotrexate can cause serious birth defects, liver damage and low blood counts. Take it exactly as your clinician says, because a mistake in how often you take it can be dangerous. Do not get pregnant during treatment. Report fever, mouth sores or a new cough right away.
Choosing the right plan for you
Your clinician sets the dose and how often you take it. It is often started low and adjusted with your blood tests. Follow the schedule exactly.
Considerations include
- How severe your skin disease is
- Past treatments and how they worked
- Blood count, liver and kidney tests
- Other medicines and alcohol use
- Pregnancy plans
How methotrexate works
Methotrexate slows the overactive immune response in the skin
Methotrexate blocks an enzyme that cells need to copy their DNA. Fast-growing cells, such as overactive immune cells and psoriasis skin cells, are affected most.
With fewer immune signals and slower skin growth, plaques and itch ease. Results often build over several weeks.
Modern Dermatology
Methotrexate
Prescription only
Recommended for
- Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
- Severe eczema
- Psoriasis that creams did not control
- Widespread skin disease
- People who can follow regular blood tests
Your clinician reviews your skin and history, and confirms that this treatment is right for you before prescribing.
Blocks a DNA copying enzyme
Slows fast-growing cells
Calms the immune response
Less inflammation
Slows skin cell growth
Plaques thin and fade
Eases itch and redness
Skin feels calmer
How it works.
- 01
Tell us about your skin
Complete a quick medical questionnaire and upload a few photos of your skin concerns. No appointment needed.
- 02
Get your personalized treatment plan
A Canadian-licensed medical professional will review your information and recommend a personalized treatment plan, including prescriptions when appropriate. Most conditions can be assessed without a video consultation.
- 03
Start your treatment
Get your prescribed medications delivered right to your door. Medication costs are billed separately from your consultation.
- 04
Follow up on your progress
At a follow-up, your clinician can review your progress, discuss side effects and adjust your treatment if needed.
Clear answers.
Have more questions? See our full FAQ or Contact us.
Still have questions? Reach our care team at 514 111 1111
Start my assessmentPossibly. You fill out a short health form, and a Canadian-licensed medical professional reviews your case. If methotrexate is right for you, your clinician sends a prescription to your pharmacy. Your clinician first checks if online care is suitable, and some people need in-person care or specialist monitoring.
It blocks an enzyme that cells need to copy their DNA. This slows overactive immune cells and fast-growing skin cells. The result is less inflammation and thinner plaques.
Many people see a change after several weeks, and the best result can take a few months. Your clinician reviews your progress and your blood tests.
Nausea, tiredness, mouth sores and headache are common. It can lower blood counts and affect the liver. Seek urgent care for fever, bleeding, a new cough or shortness of breath.
People who are pregnant, plan to be pregnant or are breastfeeding should not take it. It is also not for people with serious liver or kidney disease, or low blood counts. Your clinician reviews your history first.
Other options include creams such as calcipotriol, oral medicines such as apremilast or acitretin, and injections such as adalimumab. For eczema, other options include abrocitinib and topical steroids. Your clinician talks about which fits your case.
Many medicines interact with methotrexate, including some antibiotics and pain relievers. Tell your clinician and your pharmacist about everything you take. Limit alcohol during treatment.
No. Methotrexate can cause serious birth defects, and it must not be taken in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Reliable birth control is needed for women and men during treatment and for a time after it.
Each consultation costs CA$175. Your pharmacy charges separately for medication. Ask your insurer whether your plan covers the prescribed treatment.
Health Canada requires a generic to have the same active ingredient as the brand. Your pharmacist may offer either one. Ask your clinician if you need a specific product.
Your Care Team checks in before each refill. Your clinician may ask for photos or an update on how you feel. If methotrexate is still right for you, the prescription is renewed and sent to your pharmacy.
Carefully monitored, every step
Blood tests
Blood counts, liver and kidney tests before you start and at regular times during treatment.
Pregnancy prevention
Reliable birth control for women and men during treatment and after it. Your clinician explains how long.
Infection and lung watch
Report fever, mouth sores, a new cough or shortness of breath right away.
Regular check-ins
Your Care Team reviews your skin and side effects, and your clinician adjusts the plan.
Simple pricing for your skin care.
Medication costs are separate. Ask your insurer whether your plan reimburses online consultations.
Start my assessment
Related treatments
Your clinician can suggest another option when this one is not the right fit.