BIOTREXATE 500MG INJECTION

Introduction:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection is a chemotherapy medication containing methotrexate. It is used to treat several kinds of cancer such as leukaemia (blood cancer), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancers that begin in your lymphatic system, a part of the immune system), soft tissue and bone sarcomas, and solid tumours like breast, head, lung, neck, cervical, ovarian, bladder and testicular cancer. Cancer is a disorder in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled and abnormal manner.

Talk to your doctor if you have gastrointestinal disorders, liver problems, kidney problems, vaccinated recently, build-up of fluid in the lining of lungs or abdomen, infection, or if you are receiving radiotherapy before taking Biotrexate 500mg Injection. Talk to your doctor if you are on a salt-controlled diet. 

Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose of Biotrexate 500mg Injection. Avoid drinking alcohol, excessive consumption of coffee, soft drinks containing caffeine, and black tea while taking this medicine. Drink plenty of fluids because dehydration can increase the toxicity of this medicine.

Uses of Biotrexate 500mg Injection:

• Acute lymphocytic leukaemia and meningeal leukaemia
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas
• Soft tissue and bone sarcomas
• Solid tumours like breast, head, lung, neck, cervical, ovarian, bladder, and testicular cancer

How Biotrexate 500mg Injection works:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, the enzyme involved in DNA synthesis, and slows the growth of cancer cells.

Interactions with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information:

• Keep Biotrexate 500mg Injection out of sight and reach of children.
• Store below 30°C.

References:

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Pharmacotherapy of inflammatory bowel disease, 12th edition, 2011, 1358.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antirheumatoid and antigout drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 211.
3. Hospira UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on Nov 2020] [ Accessed on 30th June 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6756.pdf
4. Accord Healthcare Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on Sept 2020] [ Accessed on 30th June 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4281.pdf

How to use Biotrexate 500mg Injection:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection will be given to you by your health care professional.

Safety advice:

Pregnancy:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection can harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine. It will be given to you if clearly needed.

Breastfeeding:

You should not breastfeed while being treated with Biotrexate 500mg Injection. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Liver:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection is contraindicated in patients with severe liver disorders. You need to tell your doctor if you have any liver disorders before taking Biotrexate 500mg Injection.

Kidney:

Biotrexate 500mg Injection is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney disorders. You need to tell your doctor if you have any kidney disorders, including conditions requiring kidney dialysis, before taking this medicine.

Driving: 

This medicine can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, or dizziness. Avoid driving if you feel unwell.

Others:

• You must not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from a problem of excessive drinking.
• Inform your doctor if you have any serious blood disorders, or symptoms suggesting an active infectious disease (chills, fever, achiness).
• Avoid vaccination while taking this medicine.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious:

• Severe allergic reaction (itchy rash, swelling of hands, feet, lips, mouth, or throat)
• Spitting or coughing blood
• Unexpected bleeding (bleeding gums, blood in urine, vomit)
• Weakness in the legs that spreads to upper limbs and the face
• Lung problems (difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent cough)
• Diarrhoea, black tarry stools
• Infection (fever, chills, achiness)
• Sore mouth

Common:

• Headache, dizziness
• Hair loss
• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Increased liver enzymes
• Seizures
• Blurred vision
• Abdominal pain
• Irregular periods in women
• Ringing of ears
• Joint and muscle pain
• Yellowing of skin and whites of eyes
• Osteoporosis (abnormally easily broken bones)
• Mood alterations