Ipca Laboratories Ltd
Methotrexate (15mg)
Folitrax 15 Tablet is a medicine used for treatment of cancer in various parts of the body such as breasts, head, neck, lungs, blood, bone, lymph, and uterus. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, severe and uncontrolled psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease.
Tablet
Folitrax 15 Tablet may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking too much of it can cause 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 consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase your risk of liver damage. The most common side effects of this medicine are ulcerative stomatitis, hairloss, low blood cell count, increased liver enzymes, nausea, and abdominal distress. 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. This medicine may lower your ability to fight infections and lead to problems with your blood, liver, or kidneys. Your doctor may perform several tests such as blood tests, X-rays, and physical examinations both before and during treatment with this medicine to check for these.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Folitrax 15 Tablet may be taken with or without food but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Folitrax 15 Tablet inhibits enzymes (dihydrofolate reductase), prevents cell division and leads to anti-inflammatory actions. Folitrax 15 Tablet kills cancer cells by preventing them from making DNA. Folitrax 15 Tablet can help control psoriasis by retarding the production of skin cells and suppressing inflammation. Folitrax 15 Tablet may treat rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system, preventing it from attacking the body's cells. This helps reduce the inflammation that causes swollen and stiff joints in rheumatoid arthritis or damage to bowel in Crohn's disease.
Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated while taking this medication. Take folic acid if advised by your doctor. This will help lessen the side effects of this medicine. It may take from weeks to months for Folitrax 15 Tablet to work. Keep taking the medication as prescribed. Your doctor may get regular blood test done to monitor your kidney function, liver function and level of blood cells in your blood. 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.
Yes, mouth ulcers and soreness are potential side effects of Folitrax 15 Tablet. Taking folic acid in conjunction with this medication may help alleviate these symptoms. Your healthcare provider may consider reducing the dosage to further minimize discomfort.
Folic acid supplementation is necessary because Folitrax 15 Tablet can decrease folic acid levels in the body. This may help mitigate common side effects like mouth ulcers, hair loss, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia, and liver problems.
Regular blood tests enable your healthcare provider to monitor your response to the medication and detect potential side effects. These tests will help check your liver function and blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets). Additional tests may be ordered based on the results.
Yes, this medication can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to serious infections. Rare cases have been reported where Folitrax 15 Tablet has led to severe lung infections. If you have an active infection, the drug should be used with extreme caution.
Yes, this medication may impact fertility in both men and women. It can cause a decrease in sperm count in males and menstrual disturbances in females. However, these effects are typically reversible and disappear once the therapy is discontinued.
It's recommended that you avoid pregnancy while your husband is on this medication. Furthermore, it's advised to wait for a minimum of 3 months after the therapy has been completed before attempting conception, as there may be an increased risk of fetal abnormalities.