Neotrexate Injection
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Neotrexate Injection is a medicine used for treatment of cancer in various parts of the body such as breasts, head, neck, lungs, blood, bone, lymph, and uterus. It may be used with other medicines as part of combination therapy.
Neotrexate Injection is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. 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, abdominal pain, tiredness, mouth sores, and decreased white blood cells. 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 a very strong 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 regular blood tests to check for these.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if 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.
Neotrexate Injection is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. 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, abdominal pain, tiredness, mouth sores, and decreased white blood cells. 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 a very strong 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 regular blood tests to check for these.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if 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.
Uses of Neotrexate Injection
Benefits of Neotrexate Injection
In Treatment of Cancer
Neotrexate Injection belongs to a group of medicines called antimetabolites and is referred to as a cytotoxic. It works by slowing the growth of cancer cells in the body. It is used to treat a wide range of cancers such as acute leukemias, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and solid tumors found in breast, lung, bladder, head and neck as well as cervical, ovarian and testicular cancer. It may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Side effects of Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Mouth sore
- Decreased white blood cell count
How to use Neotrexate Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Neotrexate Injection works
Neotrexate Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by blocking an enzyme (dihydrofolate reductase) involved in DNA synthesis in cancer cells. This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Neotrexate Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Neotrexate 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
Neotrexate Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Neotrexate Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Neotrexate Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Neotrexate Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.
Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.
Liver
CAUTION
Neotrexate Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Neotrexate Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Neotrexate Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Use of Neotrexate Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
What if you forget to take Neotrexate Injection?
If you miss a dose of Neotrexate Injection, consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Neotrexate Injection
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Quick tips
- Neotrexate Injection helps treat various types of cancer such as blood cancer, bone cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and testicular cancer.
- 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 Neotrexate 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.
- Your doctor may get regular blood test done to monitor your kidney function, liver function and level of blood cells in your blood.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Glutamic Acid Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Antimetabolite- Methotrexate
Patient concerns
FAQs
Can Neotrexate Injection cause mouth ulcers?
Yes, Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Injection?
Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Neotrexate Injection decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Injection?
Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Injection use make me more prone to infections?
Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Injection use. If you have an active infection, Neotrexate Injection should be used with extreme caution.
Can Neotrexate Injection affect fertility?
Yes, Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Injection?
You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Neotrexate 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
- 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 [Prescribing Information]. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.; 2021. [Accessed 04 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:
Marketer details
Name: Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Address: Dr. Annie Besant Road, Mumbai - 400 030
Country of origin: India
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