Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to methotrexate
9 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as methotrexate or labeled mainly for the same use (rheumatoid arthritis); the others include 3 antirheumatic agents, 3 janus kinase inhibitors and 2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (FDA labels read October 8, 2026).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as methotrexate?
Rheumatoid arthritis lists all 46 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methotrexatefolate analog metabolic inhibitor | this medicine | 25 labelers | $0.158 per tablet 2.5 mg tablet | Yes | In shortage |
| Indomethacinnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug | Rheumatoid arthritis | 25 labelers | $0.210 per capsule 75 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry |
| Hydroxychloroquineantirheumatic agent | Rheumatoid arthritis | 28 labelers | $0.149 per tablet 200 mg tablet | No | A presentation being discontinued |
| Tofacitinibjanus kinase inhibitor | Rheumatoid arthritis | 24 labelers | $0.573 per tablet 5 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry |
| Leflunomideantirheumatic agent | Rheumatoid arthritis | 16 labelers | $0.324 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | A presentation being discontinued |
| Penicillamineantirheumatic agent | Rheumatoid arthritis | 9 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry |
| Baricitinibjanus kinase inhibitor | Rheumatoid arthritis | none listed | $92.54 per tablet 2 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry |
| Flurbiprofennonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug | Rheumatoid arthritis | 3 labelers | $3.17 per tablet 100 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Upadacitinibjanus kinase inhibitor | Rheumatoid arthritis | none listed | $229.31 per tablet 15 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry |
| Auranofin | Rheumatoid arthritis | none listed | $24.85 per capsule 3 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Methotrexate: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Hydroxychloroquine vs methotrexate
- two records side by side
- Methotrexate vs tofacitinib
- two records side by side
- Leflunomide vs methotrexate
- two records side by side