Folitrax 20 Injection (Methotrexate 20mg)

INTRODUCTION

FOLITRAX 20MG contains methotrexate which belongs to a group of medicine called anti-metabolites. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells. It can also be used as an immunosuppressant, which reduces the activity of the immune system. In larger doses, it can be used to treat various forms of cancer. In smaller doses, it can be used to treat severe form of psoriasis (a skin disease with thickened patches of inflamed red skin, often covered by silvery scales) and rheumatoid arthritis, when it has not responded to other treatments.

Methotrexate kills the rapidly multiplying cells of the skin in psoriasis. In rheumatoid arthritis, it reduces inflammation in joints by altering body’s defence mechanism in immune system. In cancer, methotrexate inhibits the enzymes responsible for nucleotide synthesis and prevents cell division. FOLITRAX 20MG must not be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking. Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, anemia or weak immune system.

USES OF FOLITRAX 20MG

Treats various forms of cancer such as choriocarcinoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, osteogenic sarcoma, bladder cancer, Burkitt’s lymphoma or advanced stages of childhood lymphoma
Used in severe form of psoriasis
Treats rheumatoid arthritis

HOW FOLITRAX 20MG WORKS

Methotrexate inhibits the enzymes responsible for nucleotide synthesis including dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, aminoimidazole caboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase (AICART) and amido phosphoribosyl transferase which prevents cell division and leads to anti-inflammatory actions.

Since cellular proliferation in malignant tissues (cancerous tissue) are greater than in most normal tissues, methotrexate may impair malignant growth without causing any irreversible damage to normal tissues. Methotrexate has an immunosuppressive effect, resulting in the inhibition of lymphocyte multiplication. In psoriasis, it kills the rapidly multiplying skin cells.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

This medicine should be only given by a doctor or a nurse into a vein (intravenously), muscle (intramuscularly) or into an artery (intraarterially). It may also be given by an infusion (drip) into a vein. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you and how often it must be given.

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SIDE EFFECTS OF FOLITRAX 20MG

SERIOUS
Allergic reaction (a sudden itchy rash, swelling of hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing)
Spitting or coughing blood
Symptoms of an infection e.g. fever, chills, achiness, sore throat
Black tarry stools
A sore mouth
Diarrhea
Stroke
Chest pain
COMMON
Feeling or being sick
Dizziness or drowsiness
Fits
Vasculitis (pain or redness of blood vessels)
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of eyes)
Cystitis (painful urination)
Headaches
Blurred vision or eye infection (conjunctivitis)
Osteoporosis
Pain in stomach, loins or abdomen
Irregular periods in women
Hair loss
Ringing of the ears
Joint and muscle pain
Mood alterations
Inflammation of the lungs
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Feeling sick or being sick:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal and stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY
FOLITRAX 20MG should be used with caution if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant. Consult your doctor for advice.

BREASTFEEDING
FOLITRAX 20MG should be used with caution if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for advice.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machines if your ability is affected by this medicine.

ALCOHOL
Do not drink alcohol while being treated with FOLITRAX 20MG, as alcohol increases the risk of liver damage.

KIDNEY
FOLITRAX 20MG should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor for advice.

LIVER
FOLITRAX 20MG should be taken with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Consult your doctor for advice.

ALLERGY
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to methotrexate.

LUNGS
If you have a medical condition which causes a build-up of fluid in the lining of your lungs or in your abdomen, you may be more sensitive to the effects of FOLITRAX 20MG. Your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you.

OTHERS

Do not take FOLITRAX 20MG, if you have:

A blood disorder such as low levels of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets, any infection or a weak immune system
A stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis, if you are to have radiotherapy or vaccinations

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

Medicines used to relieve pain (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin or similar medicines)
Medicines used to reduce the acid production (e.g. omeprazole, esomeprazole and pantoprazole)
Diuretics (water tablets)
Medicines used to treat diabetes (insulin)
Antibiotics (used to treat infection) such as penicillins, sulphonamides, co-trimoxazole, trimethoprim, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and para-aminobenzoic acid
Phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy)
Vitamin supplements containing folic acid
Probenecid (medicine used to treat gout)
Nitrous oxide (used for general anaesthesia and pain relief)
Retinoids, such as acitretin (a medicine used to treat psoriasis) or isotretinoin (used to treat severe acne)
Live virus vaccines
Mercaptopurine (medicine used to treat blood cell cancer)
Theophylline (medicine used to treat asthma)