INTRODUCTION
FOLITRAX 20MG contains methotrexate which belong to a group of medicines called folate antagonist. It can be used to treat severe cases of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be used to treat several kinds of cancer. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes your skin cells to grow and multiply much quickly than normal cells. Methotrexate kills the rapidly multiplying cells in the skin. In rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate reduce 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.
Always take this medicine as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the therapy depending upon your health condition. This medicine should be used with caution in children and in elderly patient. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine. The common side effects are nausea or vomiting, anorexia (eating disorder), a skin rash with reddening of the skin, hair loss.
USES OF FOLITRAX 20MG
- Treat severe cases of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis if other treatments are not effective
- Treat several kinds of cancer, including acute leukemias, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, soft tissue and bone sarcomas, solid tumors like breast, lung, head and neck, bladder, cervical, ovarian and testicular cancer
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 immunosuppressive effects, and this might be a result of inhibition of lymphocyte multiplication. In psoriasis, it kills the rapidly multiplying skin cells.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Always take FOLITRAX 20MG as directed by your physician. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the therapy depending upon your age, weight and condition. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew.
SIDE EFFECTS OF FOLITRAX 20MG
COMMON
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anorexia (eating disorder)
- A skin rash with reddening of the skin
- Hair loss
- A lump in your neck, groin or armpits with associated backache, weight loss or night sweats
- Nosebleed
- Vaginal ulcers
RARE
- Herpes zoster infection
- Depression, confusion, loss of interest in, or inability to have sex
- Tenderness and swelling of the lower extremities (clot in the veins)
- Difficulty in breathing
- Throat infection
- Swelling of the gums
- Abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea, dehydration, fever and weight loss
- Muscle pain, joint pain
- Weakening or softening of bones
- Menstrual disorders or impotence
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea or vomiting:
Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal. Stick to simple meals.
Diarrhea:
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines without speaking to a doctor.
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 in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
FOLITRAX 20MG is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machinery while taking this medicine, as it may make you feel dizzy or drowsy.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
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 to methotrexate.
LUNGS
FOLITRAX 20MG should be taken with caution in patients with lung disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
OTHERS
Do not take this medicine, if you have:
- Any serious blood disorders including severe anemia, leucopenia (decreased white cells count), thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count) or any serious infection
INTERACTIONS
Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, indomethacin or aspirin)
- Diuretics (used to increase water output) e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- Medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproate)
- Medicines used to treat diabetes e.g. metformin
- Medicines used to treat gout e.g. probenecid or sulfinpyrazone
- Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers e.g. omeprazole or pantoprazole
- Medicines used to suppress immune response e.g. leflunomide or ciclosporin
- Other medicines against cancer (e.g. cisplatin)
- Antibiotics (used to treat bacterial infections) including penicillin, sulphonamides, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, neomycin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol
- Olanzapine (used to treat schizophrenia)
- Pyrimethamine (used to treat malaria)
- Digoxin (used to treat heart failure)
- Theophylline (used to treat asthma)
- P-aminobenzoic acid (used to treat skin disorders)
- Corticosteroids used for the treatment of arthritis, allergic reactions or skin diseases
- Retinoids used for the treatment of skin disorders e.g. acitretin
- Vitamin preparations containing folic acid or similar products
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