Folitrax 15 Tablet

Composition Methotrexate (15mg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack strip of 10 tablets
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical Class Glutamic Acid Derivative
Action Class Antimetabolite- Methotrexate
Habbit Forming No
Manufacturer Ipca Laboratories Ltd
Manufacturer address 142 AB, Kandivli Industrial Estate, Kandivli (West), Mumbai – 400 067, Maharashtra

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 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.

Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment of Psoriasis

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 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.

If you miss a dose of Folitrax 15 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

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 15 Tablet 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.

Q. Can Folitrax 15 Tablet cause mouth ulcers?

Yes, Folitrax 15 Tablet 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.

Q. Why do I have to take folic acid with Folitrax 15 Tablet?

Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Folitrax 15 Tablet decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Folitrax 15 Tablet such as mouth ulcers, hair loss, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia and liver problems.

Q. Why do I need to take regular blood tests while taking Folitrax 15 Tablet?

Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Folitrax 15 Tablet 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.

Q. Can Folitrax 15 Tablet use make me more prone to infections?

Folitrax 15 Tablet 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 15 Tablet use. If you have an active infection, Folitrax 15 Tablet should be used with extreme caution.

Q. Can Folitrax 15 Tablet affect fertility?

Yes, Folitrax 15 Tablet 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.

Q. What to do if I am planning to become pregnant and my husband is taking Folitrax 15 Tablet?

You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Folitrax 15 Tablet. 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.

In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Folitrax 15 Tablet 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

Folitrax 15 Tablet 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 15 Tablet 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

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

Alcohol:CAUTION

Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Folitrax 15 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:UNSAFE

Folitrax 15 Tablet 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 15 Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Driving:UNSAFE

Folitrax 15 Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney:CAUTION

Folitrax 15 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Folitrax 15 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.

Liver:CAUTION

Folitrax 15 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Folitrax 15 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Folitrax 15 Tablet is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

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.

Methotrexate. Camberley, Surrey: Sandoz Limited; 2005 . view

Drugs.com. Methotrexate Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings. view

Methotrexate. Feucht, Germany: EXCELLA GmbH; 2016. view