Manufacturer: Ipca Laboratories Ltd
Salt Composition : Methotrexate(25mg)
Vial of 1ml Injection
(Inclusive of all taxes)
Folitrax 25 Injection is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. It may be used by itself or in combination with other medicines. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion, abdominal pain, increased liver enzymes, and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth). Your doctor may advise you to take folic acid to reduce some of these. If they do not go away or get worse, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects. It is powerful medicine, and some people may develop serious side effects while taking it. This medicine may lower your ability to fight infections and lead to problems with your blood, liver, or kidneys. Your doctor will advise you on regular blood tests to check for these.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have stomach, liver, or kidney problems, or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. You and your partner should avoid becoming pregnant or fathering a child for several months after your treatment with it has stopped. Your doctor may perform several tests such as blood tests, X-rays, and physical examinations both before and during treatment with this medicine.
The composition of Folitrax Injection works by stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells and suppressing the immune system. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it reduces the activity of the body's immune system. This decreases swelling, pain and stiffness, ultimately improving the function of joints. It also slows down the proliferation of infected skin cells.
Methotrexate is generally completely absorbed following parenteral administration, and after intramuscular injection peak serum concentrations occur in 30 to 60 minutes.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Folitrax
Abdominal pain
Indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Tiredness
Mouth sore
Patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis with alcoholism, alcoholic liver disease or other chronic liver disease should not receive methotrexate. Patients with psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis who have overt or laboratory evidence of immunodeficiency syndromes should not receive methotrexate.
Folitrax 25 Injection is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Folitrax 25 Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Folitrax 25 Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Methotrexate is indicated in the management of selected adults with severe, active,rheumatoid arthritis (ACR criteria), or children with active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, who have had an insufficient therapeutic response to,or are intolerant of, an adequate trial of first-line therapy including full dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs).
Some products that may interact with this drug include: acitretin, asparaginase, chloramphenicol, leflunomide, other drugs that can cause kidney problems (such as cisplatin), other drugs that can cause liver problems (such as azathioprine, sulfasalazine, retinoids such as isotretinoin), penicillins, phenytoin, probenecid, procarbazine, pyrimethamine, sulfa medications, tetracyclines.
Kindly do not self administer.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Folitrax 25 Injection, consult your doctor.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
It is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously), usually in the upper thigh or the abdomen.
Take it once a week, on the same day every week.
Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated while taking this medication.
Always take folic acid as advised by your doctor. This will help lessen the side effects of this medicine.
It may take 6 to 8 weeks for Folitrax 25 Injection to work. Keep taking the medication as prescribed.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects.
It can be harmful to an unborn baby. Avoid pregnancy for at least 6 months after your last dose.
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Q. Can Folitrax 25 Injection cause mouth ulcers?
Yes, Folitrax 25 Injection can cause a sore mouth and mouth ulcers as side effects in some cases. Taking folic acid along with this medicine may help in reducing the ulcers. Ask your doctor if the dose can be reduced as dose reduction may further help in reducing the ulcers.
Q. Why do I have to take folic acid with Folitrax 25 Injection?
Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Folitrax 25 Injection decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Folitrax 25 Injection such as mouth ulcers, hair loss, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia and liver problems.
Q. Why do I need to take regular blood tests while taking Folitrax 25 Injection?
Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Folitrax 25 Injection and monitor you for side effects. You will need to regularly check your liver function and your blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets). Your doctor may also order additional tests depending on the results.
Q. Can Folitrax 25 Injection use make me more prone to infections?
Folitrax 25 Injection may decrease the activity of your immune system. As a result, you may develop serious infections. There have been rare reports which suggest occurrence of serious lung infections with Folitrax 25 Injection use. If you have an active infection, Folitrax 25 Injection should be used with extreme caution.
Q. Can Folitrax 25 Injection affect fertility?
Yes, Folitrax 25 Injection may affect fertility in both males and females. It may cause a decrease in sperm count in males and menstrual disturbances in females. No need to worry, these effects are reversible and disappear once the therapy is discontinued.
Q. What to do if I am planning to become pregnant and my husband is taking Folitrax 25 Injection?
You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Folitrax 25 Injection. Also, it is advised that pregnancy should be further avoided for a minimum of 3 months after the therapy as it can lead to serious fetal abnormalities.
