Neotrexate Tablet
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Neotrexate Tablet 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 is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, severe and uncontrolled psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease.
It is an antimetabolite
It is an antimetabolite
Uses of Neotrexate Tablet
Benefits of Neotrexate Tablet
In Treatment of Cancer
Neotrexate Tablet 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.
In Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Neotrexate 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
Neotrexate 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. Neotrexate 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.
In Treatment of Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease of the intestines. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and pain in your abdomen. Neotrexate Tablet helps reduce the inflammation, relieve the symptoms, and prevent them from coming back.
Side effects of Neotrexate Tablet
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
- Ulcerative stomatitis
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Increased liver enzymes
- Hair loss
- Decreased blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets)
How to use Neotrexate Tablet
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. Neotrexate Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Neotrexate Tablet works
Neotrexate Tablet inhibits enzymes (dihydrofolate reductase), prevents cell division and leads to anti-inflammatory actions. Neotrexate Tablet kills cancer cells by preventing them from making DNA. Neotrexate Tablet can help control psoriasis by retarding the production of skin cells and suppressing inflammation. Neotrexate Tablet may treat rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system, preventing it from attacking the body's cells. This helps reduce the inflammation that causes swollen and stiff joints in rheumatoid arthritis, or damage to bowel in Crohn's disease.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Neotrexate Tablet.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Neotrexate 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
Neotrexate Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Neotrexate Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Neotrexate Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Neotrexate Tablet 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 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Neotrexate Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Neotrexate Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Neotrexate 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.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Neotrexate Tablet
₹4.47/Tablet
Folitrax 2.5 Tablet
Ipca Laboratories Ltd
₹5.04/tablet
13% costlier
Oncotrex 2.5mg Tablet
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
₹2.28/tablet
49% cheaper
Biotrexate 2.5mg Tablet
Biochem Pharmaceutical Industries
₹4.95/tablet
11% costlier
Mexate 2.5 Tablet
Zydus Cadila
₹5.01/tablet
12% costlier
Imutrex 2.5mg Tablet
Cipla Ltd
₹4.74/tablet
6% costlier
Quick tips
- Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated while taking this medication.
- Take folic acid if advised by your doctor. This will help lessen the side effects of this medicine.
- It may take from weeks to months for Neotrexate Tablet to work. Keep taking the medication as prescribed.
- Your doctor may get regular blood test done to monitor your kidney function, liver function and level of blood cells in your blood.
- 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
User feedback
Patients taking Neotrexate Tablet
Once A Week
38%
Once A Day
19%
Thrice A week
15%
Twice A Week
13%
Twice A Day
9%
Alternate Day
2%
Thrice A Day
2%
Once A Month
1%
Twice A Month
1%
Four Times A *
1%
*Four Times A Day
What are you using Neotrexate Tablet for?
Others
95%
Blood cancer
5%
How much was the improvement?
Excellent
39%
Average
39%
Poor
21%
What were the side-effects while using Neotrexate Tablet?
No Side Effec*
71%
Mouth ulcer
14%
Nausea
14%
*No Side Effect
How do you take Neotrexate Tablet?
With food
100%
Please rate Neotrexate Tablet on price
Expensive
52%
Not Expensive
24%
Average
24%
FAQs
Can Neotrexate Tablet cause mouth ulcers?
Yes, Neotrexate 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.
Why do I have to take folic acid with Neotrexate Tablet?
Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Neotrexate Tablet decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Neotrexate Tablet 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 Tablet?
Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Neotrexate 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.
Can Neotrexate Tablet use make me more prone to infections?
Neotrexate 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 Neotrexate Tablet use. If you have an active infection, Neotrexate Tablet should be used with extreme caution.
Can Neotrexate Tablet affect fertility?
Yes, Neotrexate 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.
What to do if I am planning to become pregnant and my husband is taking Neotrexate Tablet?
You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Neotrexate 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.
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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]. Eatontown, NJ: West-Ward Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2020. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023] (online) Available from:
- Methotrexate [Product Label]. New York, NY: Pfizer Inc.; 2022. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023] (online) Available from:
- Methotrexate [Drug Label]. Sandton, South Africa: Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd.; 2022 [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023] (online) Available from:
- Walfish AE, Companioni RA. Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. [Updated Sep. 2022]. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023] (online) Available from:
- Crohn's & Colitis, UK. Methotrexate [Information Sheet]. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2023] (online) Available from:
- CiplaMed. Methotrexate [Prescribing Information]. [Last Reviewed: Feb 2019]. [Accessed 11 Jul. 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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