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Independent analysis of NHS open data
PharmaInsight

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) vs Methotrexate

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Data updated May 2026

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) was dispensed 5.2× as often as Methotrexate in May 2026 — 16,680 items versus 3,225 in England.

16,680items

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) · May 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

3,225items

Methotrexate · May 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) versus Methotrexate: national items dispensed by month

▬ Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites)   ·   ╌ Methotrexate

0 10k 20k Aug 2024 Dec 2024 Apr 2025 Aug 2025 Dec 2025 May 2026 Methotrexate 16,680 Aug 2024: 3 Sep 2024: 13 Oct 2024: 60 Nov 2024: 133 Dec 2024: 174 Jan 2025: 407 Feb 2025: 668 Mar 2025: 1k Apr 2025: 2k May 2025: 3k Jun 2025: 4k Jul 2025: 6k Aug 2025: 4k Sep 2025: 7k Oct 2025: 8k Nov 2025: 7k Dec 2025: 8k Jan 2026: 11k Feb 2026: 15k Mar 2026: 20k Apr 2026: 19k May 2026: 17k

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026

Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) versus Methotrexate, May 2026
Measure Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) Methotrexate
Items, May 2026 16,680 3,225
Items, last 12 months 125,575 40,622
Net ingredient cost, May 2026 £512,708 £213,236

See the full profile for Fluorouracil (Antimetabolites) or Methotrexate.