Indications - Calcium Folinate is indicated in: To diminish the toxicity and counteract the effect of impaired Methotrexate elimination. To treat the Megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency, as in sprue, nutritional deficiency. To treat the Megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy and infancy.
Dosage & Administration - Oral- Reduction of harmful effects of folic acid antagonists: The dose is usually one 5-15 mg tablet every 6 hours for 2 to 3 days. Megaloblastic anemia: In the treatment of Megaloblastic anemia, the dose is one 5-15 mg tablet daily. Intravenous- Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Folinic Acid is administered at 200 mg/m2 by slow intravenous injection followed by 5-fluorouracil at 370 mg/m2 by intravenous injection. Or 20 mg/m 2 by slow intravenous injection followed by 5-fluorouracil at 425 mg/m2 by intravenous injection. Treatment is repeated daily for 5 days. This 5 day treatment course may be repeated at 4 weeks interval, for 2 courses and then may repeated at 4-5 weekly intervals if the patient has recovered completely from the toxic effects of the prior treatment course. Folinic acid rescue after high dose Methotrexate Therapy: Calcium Folinate starts 24 hours after the beginning of the methotrexate infusion at dose of 15mg (10 mg/m2 ) every 6 hours for 10 doses. Intramuscular- Folate deficient megaloboastic anaemia: Up to 1 mg/day. Or, as directed by the registered physician.
Side Effects - Allergic reaction: one may experience a sudden itchy rash (hives), swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat (which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing). Fits and fainting.
Contraindications - Calcium Folinate therapy is contraindicated for the following: Known hypersensitivity to Calcium Folinate, or to any components of the product formulation. Pernicious anemia or other Megaloblastic anemia where Vitamin B12 is deficient.
Others - Pregnancy & Lactation There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies conducted in pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Calcium Folinate is administered to a nursing mother.