Biotrexate 15mg Injection
Biotrexate 15mg 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.
Biotrexate 15mg Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Biotrexate 15mg 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 and tumors in a range of cancers. For psoriasis, it works by killing the cells in the skin that grow too quickly.
Biotrexate 15mg 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.
03Uses
Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment of Psoriasis
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Biotrexate 15mg 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.
06Benefits
In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Biotrexate 15mg 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.
In Treatment of Psoriasis
Biotrexate 15mg 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. Biotrexate 15mg 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.show moreshow less
07Side Effects
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
Mouth sore
Tiredness
Vomiting
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
08Safety Information
Alcohol:CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Biotrexate 15mg Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy:UNSAFE
Biotrexate 15mg 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
Biotrexate 15mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving:UNSAFE
Biotrexate 15mg Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:CAUTION
Biotrexate 15mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Biotrexate 15mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.
Liver:CAUTION
Biotrexate 15mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Biotrexate 15mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Biotrexate 15mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
09Drug 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 Biotrexate 15mg 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.
References
Sources and references
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.
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.
Drugs.com. Methotrexate Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings. view
