Precautions and warnings

Treatment may not work as well in people who have problems making blood cells, have alcoholism, or are lacking other vitamins. It can also happen in newborn babies.

Drug Interactions

Fluorouracil: Taking folinic acid and fluorouracil together can make the side effects of fluorouracil worse. This risk is higher, especially in older adults. Some possible serious side effects include severe stomach and intestinal problems, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim: Using folinic acid with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim may reduce how well this antibiotic works against pneumocystis carinii, a common pneumonia-causing germ in people with AIDS.

Contraindications

Not yet diagnosed megaloblastic anaemia, as well as pernicious anaemia, aplastic anaemia, or normocytic anaemias.

Mode of actions

Calcium folinate, which enters cells as 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, helps by providing the cofactor that methotrexate blocks. It supports the attachment of 5-dUMP to thymidylate synthetase, which boosts the effects of fluorouracil. Calcium folinate also reduces the harmful effects of drugs like methotrexate (which are folic acid antagonists), but at the same time, it increases the effects of 5-fluorouracil.

Dosage & Administration

Oral
Adult: a) Reduction of harmful effects of folic acid antagonists such as. Methotrexate, Trimethoprime etc.:
The dose is usually one 15 mg tablet every 6 hours for 2 to 3 days.

b)Megaloblastic anemia
In the treatment of Megaloblastic anemia, the dose is one 15 mg tablet daily.

Intravenous
Adjunct to fluorouracil in colorectal cancer
Adult: 200 mg/m2 BSA by slow IV inj over at least 3 min followed by 370 mg/m2 fluorouracil by IV inj. Treatment is given for 5 consecutive days and repeated at intervals of 28 days for 2 courses. Subsequently, may repeat at 4-5 wkly intervals if the patient has recovered completely from the toxic effects of the prior treatment course.
Intramuscular
Folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia
Adult: Up to 1 mg/day.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but during pregnancy, this medicine can be used just when definitely required despite potential risks.

Mothers with a newborn baby who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may seldom create symptoms including drowsiness, muscle stiffness or shakiness, feeding or breathing troubles, constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms of your baby's particularly during their first month, tell the doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price