Biotrexate 15mg Injection

About

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite and immunosuppressant medication. It works by interfering with the metabolism of folic acid, which is essential for cell growth and division. In lower doses, as often used for autoimmune conditions, it primarily acts as a potent immunosuppressant by affecting lymphocyte proliferation and function, thereby controlling inflammation and disease activity. Its mechanism involves inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase, leading to a depletion of tetrahydrofolate and subsequent inhibition of purine and pyrimidine synthesis. This action helps to reduce the overactive immune response seen in various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, providing significant symptomatic relief and slowing disease progression, often as a disease-modifying agent.

Uses

• Management of severe, active rheumatoid arthritis.
• Control of severe, recalcitrant psoriasis.
• Treatment of certain autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease.
• Prevention of graft-versus-host disease in some transplant settings.

Directions For Use

Administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly by a healthcare professional or as directed. Dosage and frequency are determined by the specific condition and patient response.

Benefits

• Significantly reduces inflammation in autoimmune diseases.
• Slows disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis.
• Controls severe psoriatic lesions effectively.
• Can be used as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
• Reduces the need for corticosteroids in some conditions.
• Well-established efficacy in chronic inflammatory conditions.

Side Effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Oral ulcers (stomatitis)
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Bone marrow suppression (low blood counts)
• Increased risk of infection
• Kidney dysfunction
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Skin rash
• Photosensitivity

Safety Measures

• Alcohol - Avoid alcohol consumption due to increased risk of liver toxicity, a significant side effect of methotrexate.
• Pregnancy - Contraindicated in pregnancy due to severe teratogenic effects and risk of fetal death. Effective contraception is essential.
• Breastfeeding - Not recommended during breastfeeding as methotrexate can pass into breast milk and harm the infant.
• Liver - Use with extreme caution or avoid in patients with pre-existing liver disease; regular liver function monitoring is crucial.
• Kidney - Dose adjustment is necessary in patients with impaired kidney function, as it is primarily excreted renally.
• Lung - Use with caution in patients with pre-existing lung disease due to the risk of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis.

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