Unitrexate 15mg Injection
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Unitrexate 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, in the treatment of various cancers, and in the treatment of Crohn's disease.
Unitrexate 15mg Injection is given under the supervision of a doctor or a nurse 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 abdominal pain, indigestion, los of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, hair loss, and low blood platelets. 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.
Unitrexate 15mg Injection is given under the supervision of a doctor or a nurse 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 abdominal pain, indigestion, los of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, hair loss, and low blood platelets. 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.
Uses of Unitrexate Injection
Benefits of Unitrexate Injection
In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Unitrexate 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
Unitrexate 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. Unitrexate 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.
Side effects of Unitrexate 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 Unitrexate
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Mouth sore
- Low blood platelets
- Hair loss
How to use Unitrexate Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Unitrexate Injection works
Unitrexate 15mg Injection is an immunosuppressant. In rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, 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. In cancer, it inhibits cancer cells from multiplying by blocking a special enzyme that is needed to make new cells.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Unitrexate 15mg Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Unitrexate 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
Unitrexate 15mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Unitrexate 15mg Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Unitrexate 15mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Unitrexate 15mg 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
Unitrexate 15mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Unitrexate 15mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Unitrexate 15mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Use of Unitrexate 15mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
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For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
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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 Unitrexate 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.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Glutamic Acid Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Antimetabolite- Methotrexate
Patient concerns
FAQs
Can Unitrexate 15mg Injection cause mouth ulcers?
Yes, Unitrexate 15mg 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 Unitrexate 15mg Injection?
Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Unitrexate 15mg Injection decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Unitrexate 15mg 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 Unitrexate 15mg Injection?
Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Unitrexate 15mg 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 Unitrexate 15mg Injection use make me more prone to infections?
Unitrexate 15mg 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 Unitrexate 15mg Injection use. If you have an active infection, Unitrexate 15mg Injection should be used with extreme caution.
Can Unitrexate 15mg Injection affect fertility?
Yes, Unitrexate 15mg 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 Unitrexate 15mg Injection?
You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Unitrexate 15mg 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.
- CiplaMed. Methotrexate [Prescribing Information]. Last Reviewed: Feb 2019]. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:
- 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:
- Rampton DS. Methotrexate in Crohn's disease. Gut. 2001 Jun;48(6):790-1. [Accessed 11 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:
- 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:
Marketer details
Name: United Biotech Pvt Ltd
Address: FC/B-1 (Extn.), Mohan Co-operative Industrial Estate Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110 044
Country of origin: India
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