Uses of undefined

Calcium Folinate are the detoxifying agents used in the treatment Megaloblastic Anaemia, Overdose of Folic Acid Antagonists, and also reduce the toxicity of methotrexate.

undefined Drug administaration and Dosage available

The medicine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. This injection will be given slowly into a vein (as an injection or infusion) or it may be injected into a muscle. Do not self-administer this medicine. The dose of the injection will be decided by your doctor based on your disease condition and other factors. 

Warnings, Precautions and Side Effects of undefined

Warnings

This drug is contraindicated in patients who have hypersensitivity reactions. This medicine may cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, and a rapid heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Excessive calcium folinate doses must be avoided since this might impair the antitumor activity of methotrexate, especially in CNS tumours where calcium folinate accumulates after repeated courses. 

Precautions

There are no indications that folic acid induces harmful effects if administered during pregnancy and it is not known whether calcium folinate can cause foetal harm, when administered to pregnant women. Calcium folinate should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. During pregnancy, methotrexate should only be administered on strict indications, where the benefits of the drug to the mother should be weighed against possible hazards to the foetus. It is not known whether calcium folinate is excreted into human breast milk. Calcium folinate can be used during breast feeding when considered necessary according to the therapeutic indications.

Side Effects

The common side effects of Calcium Folinate  are nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, redness, swelling in palms of hands and soles of feet. Other serious side effects include reduced number of blood cells, inflammation in the lining of mouth and intestine, and severe allergic reactions. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms.

Word Of Advice

Special care is needed if you are elderly and you are about to receive any fluorouracil treatment and Calcium Folinate at the same time in case you undergo radiotherapy or stomach trouble. Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Frequently Asked Question

• What are the special precautions I should be aware of before starting treatment with Calcium Folinate?
• This drug is eliminated from the body primarily through the kidneys. Patients with impaired kidney function may need a lower dose or less frequent dosing of Calcium Folinate.

• Can Calcium Folinate be used in combination with other drugs?
• Yes, Calcium Folinate is used as an antidote to reduce the toxic effects of methotrexate, a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat certain types of cancer.

• What does Calcium Folinate do to your body?
• Calcium Folinate works by supplying the body with the necessary folate, which is required for the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and other important cellular functions.

• When you must not be given Calcium Folinate?
• Calcium Folinate should not be given to patients who have had an allergic reaction to it or any of its components.

• What is Calcium Folinate rescue?
• Calcium Folinate rescue is typically used in cancer treatment, particularly in the treatment of leukaemia and lymphoma. This involves administering Calcium Folinate to patients who are receiving high-dose methotrexate treatment. Calcium Folinate helps to reduce the toxic effects of methotrexate on healthy cells by providing a form of folic acid that can be used by the body to make new cells and DNA.

• Can I drive after receiving a Calcium Folinate?
• It is generally safe to drive after receiving a Calcium Folinate. However, you may experience dizziness or drowsiness as a side effect, which may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy machinery. It is important to wait until you feel fully alert and able to function normally before driving.