Unitrexate 50mg Injection
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Unitrexate 50mg 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.
It is an antimetabolite
It is an antimetabolite
Uses of Unitrexate Injection
Benefits of Unitrexate Injection
In Treatment of Cancer
Unitrexate 50mg 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 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
- Decreased white blood cell count
How to use Unitrexate Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Unitrexate Injection works
Unitrexate 50mg 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 Unitrexate 50mg Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Unitrexate 50mg Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Unitrexate 50mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Unitrexate 50mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Unitrexate 50mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Use of Unitrexate 50mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
What if you forget to take Unitrexate Injection?
If you miss a dose of Unitrexate 50mg Injection, consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Unitrexate 50mg Injection
₹60.5/Injection
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Quick tips
- Unitrexate 50mg 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 Unitrexate 50mg 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
User feedback
What are you using Unitrexate Injection for?
Others
100%
How much was the improvement?
Excellent
67%
Average
33%
What were the side-effects while using Unitrexate 50mg Injection?
Nausea
50%
Abdominal pai*
50%
*Abdominal pain
How do you take Unitrexate Injection?
With food
50%
With or witho*
50%
*With or without food
FAQs
Can Unitrexate 50mg Injection cause mouth ulcers?
Yes, Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection?
Folic acid is required to make new cells in the body and Unitrexate 50mg Injection decreases the folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid can help reduce some of the common side effects of Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection?
Regular blood tests will help your doctor to check your response to Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection use make me more prone to infections?
Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection use. If you have an active infection, Unitrexate 50mg Injection should be used with extreme caution.
Can Unitrexate 50mg Injection affect fertility?
Yes, Unitrexate 50mg 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 50mg Injection?
You should avoid pregnancy if your husband is taking Unitrexate 50mg 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: 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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