system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 42-year-old woman comes to the physician because of an 8 month history of intermittent pain and stiffness in her hands and feet. She reports that these episodes occur about three times a month after she wakes up and last for approximately one hour. She often also experiences fever and myalgia on the days that these episodes occur. During these attacks, she takes ibuprofen for the pain, which provides good relief. She had her last attack 5 days ago. She is otherwise healthy and takes no medications. Her sister has systemic lupus erythematosus. Vital signs are within normal limits. Examination shows mild swelling and tenderness of the wrists and the proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. An x-ray of her hands is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy?
assistant
Methotrexate