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25 Nov 2023 | 11:59 PM (IST)

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Folitrax 20 Injection

Prescription Required
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Product introduction

Folitrax 20 Injection is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis where it helps prevent further joint damage. It is also used to treat severe forms of a skin disease called psoriasis, in the treatment of various cancers, and in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Folitrax 20 Injection 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 drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase your risk of liver damage.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, tiredness, and mouth sores. 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.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, have problems related to the stomach, liver, or kidney, 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 as it may harm the baby.

Benefits of Folitrax Injection

In Treatment of Psoriasis

Folitrax 20 Injection belongs to a group of medicines called antimetabolites. It may be used to treat severe psoriasis when other treatments have not worked. Psoriasis is a condition where the skin cells in the body grow too quickly. Folitrax 20 Injection works by killing these fast-growing cells. It is potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Take it exactly as prescribed and for as long as it is prescribed to get the most benefit. DO NOT take more than you should. It may take several months to become fully effective. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Folitrax 20 Injection belongs to a group of medicines called antimetabolites. It may be used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis if other treatments have already been tried and have not worked. It is not a first-line treatment. It works by reducing the body's immune system, this decreases swelling, reduces pain, stiffness, and improves function. Take it exactly as prescribed and for as long as it is prescribed to get the most benefit. Do not take more than you should. It may take several months to become fully effective.

Side effects of Folitrax Injection

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

  • Low blood platelets
  • Mouth sore
  • Abdominal pain
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tiredness
  • Hair loss

How to use Folitrax Injection

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

How Folitrax Injection works

Folitrax 20 Injection is an immunosuppressant. In rheumatoid arthritis, it works by decreasing the activity of the body's immune system. This decreases swelling, reduces pain and stiffness, and improves function. In psoriasis, it works by slowing down the rapid growth of skin cells.

Safety advice

Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Folitrax 20 Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Folitrax 20 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.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Folitrax 20 Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Folitrax 20 Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Folitrax 20 Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Folitrax 20 Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.
Liver
CAUTION
Folitrax 20 Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Folitrax 20 Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Folitrax 20 Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine

Quick tips

  • 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 20 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.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it may increase the risk of side effects...

Fact Box

Chemical Class
Glutamic Acid Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
abcde

Patient concerns

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Suffering from rheumatoid arthritis Now she is medicating with lefno 20 mg n folitrax 20 mg
Dr. Akshat Goel
Orthopaedics
Refer to a Rheumatologist
Suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 2 yrs, feeling pain in left hand ,can't move the hand,ecg shows LVH.
Dr. Akshat Goel
Orthopaedics
Take Tab Folitrax 15mg once weekly and Tab Folvite-MR once daily and Tab Saaz-500 twice daily for 1 monthalso consult a Rheumatologist
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User feedback


FAQs

Can Folitrax 20 Injection cause mouth ulcers?

Yes, Folitrax 20 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.

Why do I have to take folic acid with Folitrax 20 Injection?

Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Folitrax 20 Injection decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Folitrax 20 Injection such as mouth ulcers, hair loss, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia and liver problems.

Why do I need to take regular blood tests while taking Folitrax 20 Injection?

Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Folitrax 20 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.

Can Folitrax 20 Injection use make me more prone to infections?

Folitrax 20 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 20 Injection use. If you have an active infection, Folitrax 20 Injection should be used with extreme caution.

Can Folitrax 20 Injection affect fertility?

Yes, Folitrax 20 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.

What to do if I am planning to become pregnant and my husband is taking Folitrax 20 Injection?

You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Folitrax 20 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.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

  1. Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 944-46.
  2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 887-90.
  3. CiplaMed. Methotrexate [Prescribing Information]. Last Reviewed: Feb 2019]. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:External Link
  4. Hanoodi M, Mittal M. Methotrexate. [Updated 2023 Jan 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:External Link
  5. Rampton DS. Methotrexate in Crohn's disease. Gut. 2001 Jun;48(6):790-1. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:External Link
  6. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. Manufacturing and Marketing permission issued from SND Division from 01.01.2018 to 28.09.2018. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:External Link

Marketer details

Name: Ipca Laboratories Ltd
Address: 142 AB, Kandivli Industrial Estate, Kandivli (West), Mumbai - 400 067, Maharashtra
Country of origin: India
Expires on or after: February, 2025

A licensed vendor partner from your nearest location will deliver Folitrax 20 Injection. Once the pharmacy accepts your order, the details of the pharmacy will be shared with you. Acceptance of your order is based on the validity of your doctor's ℞ and the availability of this medicine.

In case of any issues, contact us

Email ID: [email protected]
Phone Number: 0124-4166666
Address: 5th Floor Tower - B of the Presidency Building, 46/4 Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Sector 14, Gurugram, Haryana-122001, India

MRP
104.1
Inclusive of all taxes
1.0 ml in 1 ampoule
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Cash on delivery available

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