What is Folitrax??
Folitrax 7.5 Tablet is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis where further joint damage can be prevented. It is also used to treat severe forms of the skin disease called psoriasis by killing cells in the skin that grow too quickly.
Folitrax 7.5 Tablet may be used on its own or in combination with other medicines. You should consume it exactly the same as advised by your doctor. It might take several weeks or months for you to see the benefits, but do not stop taking them unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may advise you to take folic acid to reduce some of them. It's very strong medicine, and some people may develop serious side effects while taking it. This medicine may decrease your ability to fight infection and cause problems with your blood, liver, or kidneys. Your doctor will advise you to perform regular blood tests to check for these.
Folitrax Uses
Choriocarcinomas
This medicine is used to treat cancers that occur in the uterus of a woman.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This medicine is used alone or with other medications to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that affects the joints of the body causing pain and swelling) along with rest and physical therapy.
Psoriasis
This medicine is used for the treatment of severe psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease characterized by red, swollen skin, often covered by scales.
Folitrax Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Stomach pain
- Swelling of feet or lower legs
- Dizziness
- Fever or chills
- Unusual bleeding
- Blurred vision
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Pale skin
- Skin rash
Precautions
- Do not use the medicine for a longer period of time as it may cause liver damage and cirrhosis.
- Higher doses of the medicine may affect your kidneys.
- Those with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis should not take the medicine if they have liver or consume alcohol.
- Those who have immunodeficiency or a blood deficiency disorder such as anaemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia may also be unsuitable for this medicine.
- Folitrax 7.5 Tablet is highly unsafe for use during pregnancy. Take advice from your doctor before using it as it may have harmful effects on the developing child.
- Folitrax 7.5 Tablet is not safe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggest that the drug may cause toxicity to the child.
Warnings
Toxicity of the lung
This medicine may cause serious lung injuries, such as pulmonary fibrosis, and interstitial pulmonary infiltrates. Any symptoms of difficulty breathing and signs of pulmonary impairment should be reported to the doctor. Treatment should not be continued if there are symptoms.
Reactions of skin
The medicine may cause serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, skin necrosis, and skin ulceration. Inform the doctor if there are any symptoms. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with an appropriate alternative may be required on the basis of the clinical condition of the patient.
Infection
The use of this medicine may weaken the immune system and make you more vulnerable to infection. It is recommended that you avoid contact with people who have an infection while receiving this medicine. Any signs and symptoms of infection, such as sore throat, fever, chills, etc., should be reported immediately to the doctor. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with an appropriate alternative may be required on the basis of the clinical condition of the patient.
Driving or operating equipment
The use of this medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness, somnolence, blurred vision, etc. in some patients. It is therefore advised that you do not perform any activity that requires a high level of mental alertness, such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery.
Important information
- Take it once a week and remember to take it the same day every week.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated while taking this medicine
- Always take folic acid as recommended by your doctor. This will help to reduce the side effects of this medicine.
- Folitrax 7.5 Tablet may take 6 to 8 weeks to work. Keep taking the medicine as prescribed.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine because it may increase the risk of side effects.
Interactions
This medicine interacts with cyclosporine, which is often administered after an organ transplant. This medicine also interacts with drugs such as ibuprofen.
Concurrent use of 7.5mg Folitrax Injection to certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aceclofenac, acemetacin, and diclofenac may cause severe and sometimes fatal bone marrow suppression, aplastic anemia (in which the body stops developing new blood cells), and gastrointestinal toxicity.
Overdose
Never take more than what is prescribed to you. Symptoms of Folitrax 15mg Overdose Tablet include gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients with liver conditions may develop liver toxicity and side effects such as shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever. Even a single overdose may be fatal; therefore, the patient, doctor, and pharmacist should be very careful when administering this medicine.
Missed Dose
If you missed a dose or forgot to take it, you should take it when you remember. Do not take a double dose, however, if it is near the time of your next dose. You should be careful and avoid missed doses.
Storage
It can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Also, remember to keep the medicine away from your children.
Folitrax Vs Methotrexate
Folitrax |
Methotrexate |
|---|---|
| Folitrax is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis | Methotrexate is used to treat leukaemia and certain types of breast, skin, head and neck, lung, or uterine cancer. |
| It is also used to treat, choriocarcinomas, Psoriasis | Methotrexate is also used for the treatment of severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It is also used for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children. |
| It works by decreasing the activity of the body's immune system in rheumatoid arthritis. This reduces swelling, reduces pain and stiffness, and improves function. It works by slowing the rapid growth of skin cells in psoriasis. | Methotrexate interferes with the growth of certain cells in the body, particularly rapidly reproducing cells, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells. |
