Biotrexate 50mg Injection contains the active substance Methotrexate. It is an anti-metabolite and immunosuppressant drug. It treats certain types of cancer, such as acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), meningeal leukemia, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, osteosarcoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer in adults. It is also used to treat severe psoriasis in adults (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some body areas). It is also indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults.
Do not use Biotrexate 50mg Injection if you are allergic to methotrexate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Do not take this medicine if you have kidney or liver problems, blood disorders, weakened immune system, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Inform your physician immediately if you experience any symptoms of spitting and coughing up blood, general muscle weakness, vision disturbance, changes in thinking, memory, and orientation problems. This medicine may impair fertility. Avoid getting pregnant during the treatment and for six months after the last dose.
Tell your doctor if you have a stomach ulcer, active infection, or mild kidney problems and about any recent vaccinations before starting the treatment. Biotrexate 50mg Injection can cause serious side effects even with low doses; hence, regular follow-ups and routine laboratory tests will be necessary as a precaution. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Uses of Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Therapeutic Effects of Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Biotrexate 50mg Injection inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Therefore, this medicine interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication. Actively proliferating tissues such as malignant cells, bone marrow, fetal cells, buccal and intestinal mucosa, and urinary bladder cells are, in general, more sensitive to this medicine. Blocking these slows down how fast cancer cells grow, spread, and suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases.
Interaction of Biotrexate 50mg Injection with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Biotrexate 50mg Injection and reduce their effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Biotrexate 50mg Injection
How to consume Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Always use this medicine as exactly prescribed by your doctor. Depending on the condition being treated, your physician decides the dose, dosage, and frequency of this injection. Biotrexate 50mg Injection is injected into a vein (intravenously) or into muscle (intramuscularly). Do not self-administer this medicine.
Safety Advices for Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Pregnancy
Do not use Biotrexate 50mg Injection during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Use effective contraception during the treatment and for six months after the last dose.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during the treatment.
Lungs
Biotrexate 50mg Injection should be cautiously used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Biotrexate 50mg Injection is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure. Dose adjustments are necessary if you have liver problems. Inform your physician if you have any liver disease before initiating the therapy.
Alcohol
It is unsafe to drink alcohol while you take Biotrexate 50mg Injection because it may cause damage to your liver.
Driving
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience any side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision.
Side Effects of Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Hairloss
- Photosensitivity
- Rash
- Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting
- Decreased WBC and platelet count
- Dizziness
- Tiredness, fever, and shivering
- Blurred vision
Serious
- Severe allergic reactions
- Spitting or coughing blood
- Chest pain
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Muscle weakness
Word of Advice
Avoid getting vaccines while using this medicine. This drug can cause sun sensitivity, so use sunscreen when going outdoors. Biotrexate 50mg Injection affects male and female infertility; consult your doctor before initiating the treatment if this concerns you. Male patients with female partners with reproductive potential should use an effective form of birth control during the treatment and 3 months after the last dose. Do not consume alcohol while receiving this medicine because this may increase the risk of liver damage. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. Inform your physician if you develop sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat while using this medicine.
FAQs
Q 1. What are the most common side effects of Biotrexate 50mg Injection?
The most common side effects of Biotrexate 50mg Injection are hair loss, photosensitivity, rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased WBC and platelet count, dizziness, tiredness, fever, shivering, and blurred vision. Inform your physician if these side effects persist for a longer period.
Q 2. What to expect after taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection for ectopic pregnancy?
Some possible side effects after taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, skin rashes, indigestion, tiredness, lightheadedness, or dizziness. Consult your doctor if you have noticed any of these side effects.
Q 3. How to boost the immune system while taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection?
Eating a well-balanced diet is important as taking all other prescribed medications, including vitamin supplements, getting adequate sleep, and staying hydrated. It can boost your immune system while taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Q 4. Can I stop taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection?
Do not stop taking Biotrexate 50mg Injection without consulting your doctor. If stopped abruptly, this medicine may cause side effects.
Q 5. How long can you take Biotrexate 50mg Injection?
Take this medicine as long as your healthcare professional prescribes it. Generally, this medicine will be prescribed until your disease condition gets resolved. Do not stop this medicine without consulting the doctor.
Q 6. How do I know if Biotrexate 50mg Injection is working?
People taking this medicine can see improvement in 12 weeks. For some individuals, it may take longer to show the results based on their condition. Your physician will suggest you take regular blood tests and follow-ups to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy.
Fact Box of Biotrexate 50mg Injection
Molecule Name: Methotrexate | Therapeutic Class: 1. Anticancer 2. DMARD |
Pharmacological Class: 1. Antimetabolite 2. Immunomodulators | Indications: 1. To treat certain types of cancers 2. To treat severe psoriasis 3. To treat rheumatoid arthritis |