PRODUCT DETAILS

About Zexate 500mg INJECTION

METHOTREXATE belongs to the class of medicine called ‘immunosuppressant’ that helps to reduce the pain and inflammation and immune system’s strength to treat conditions of autoimmune diseases. METHOTREXATE is considered as first-line therapy for patients with various arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Besides this, METHOTREXATE also acts as an ‘antimetabolite’ or ‘anticancer’.

Uses of Zexate 500mg INJECTION

Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Psoriasis, Cancer

Medicinal Benefits of Zexate 500mg INJECTION

METHOTREXATE contains 'Methotrexate' that works by reducing the function of the cells, causing inflammation in the joint tissues. It reduces pain, inflammation, and slow joint damage and disease progression over time, hence METHOTREXATE is also known as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). Besides this, METHOTREXATE also acts as ‘anticancer’ or ‘antimetabolite’ by stopping cancer cells from growing and spreading by blocking their access to folate (a form of vitamin B9). Thus, together METHOTREXATE stops the growth of cancer cells and helps in reducing the cells working properly, preventing the growth of cancer cells. METHOTREXATE is considered as first-line therapy for patients with various arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Directions for Use

METHOTREXATE is taken only once a week on the same day each week. Oral: Take METHOTREXATE one hour after food in the evening, once every week. Take METHOTREXATE on the same day each week. Based on your medical condition, your doctor will prescribe for how long you need to take METHOTREXATE. Take METHOTREXATE exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The tablet form of METHOTREXATE should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water; do not break, or chew the tablet. Injection: The injection form of METHOTREXATE will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer.

Side Effects of Zexate 500mg INJECTION

Like all medicines, METHOTREXATE can also cause side-effects, although not everybody experiences them. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual fatigue, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, increase in liver enzymes, lowered resistance to infections, tingling sensation, stomach pain, leukopenia (decreased number of white blood cells), and soreness of mouth and lips are the common side-effects of METHOTREXATE. Please consult your doctor if you experience any of these side-effects persistently.

Similar Drugs

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

Do not take METHOTREXATE if you are allergic to any of its contents if you have significant liver problems or kidney problems, serious blood disorders, immune system problems, bone marrow problems, serious infections, immunodeficiency syndrome, or if you suffer from alcoholism. Do not take METHOTREXATE if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as METHOTREXATE causes serious congenital disabilities. METHOTREXATE should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before taking METHOTREXATE if you have/had liver or kidney problems, ulceration in stomach or bowels, poor general condition, received any vaccinations or if are due to have any, diabetes mellitus treated with insulin. METHOTREXATE causes dizziness and drowsiness, so drive with caution. METHOTREXATE should not be given to children as safety and efficacy have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with METHOTREXATE as it could lead to increased dizziness. METHOTREXATE may make you more susceptible to infections; consult your doctor if you develop any signs of infections such as fever, sore throat, breathlessness, jaundice, unexplained bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests to monitor your condition. METHOTREXATE eliminates folate as waste from your body, thereby causing folate deficiency. Your doctor may prescribe you supplement folic acid that would help you to recover folate level in your body.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction:

METHOTREXATE may have interaction with pain killers (diclofenac, ibuprofen, celecoxib, meloxicam, acetaminophen, hydrocodone), antibiotic (amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim), anti-depressant (duloxetine), immunosuppressant (etanercept, prednisone, infliximab), vitamin (folic acid), anti-rheumatoid (adalimumab), a drug used to treat poisoning (leucovorin), antacid (esomeprazole), and anti-malarial (hydroxychloroquine).

Drug-Disease Interaction:

METHOTREXATE may cause interactions with disease conditions such as leukopenia (low levels of white blood cells), infections, stomatitis, liver and kidney dysfunction.

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

• You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking METHOTREXATE. It could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.

PREGNANCY

• It is not recommended to take METHOTREXATE while you are pregnant. METHOTREXATE may cause serious birth defects.

BREAST FEEDING

• It is not recommended to take METHOTREXATE while you are breastfeeding. METHOTREXATE passes into breast milk.

DRIVING

• METHOTREXATE may cause dizziness, drowsiness and tiredness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

LIVER

• Please consult your doctor if you have liver impairment before taking METHOTREXATE.

KIDNEY

• Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment before taking METHOTREXATE.