PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
This
leaflet contains important information about your
medicine; read it carefully.
Keep
this leaflet; you may want to read it again.
If you
have any questions or are not sure about anything,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Calcium
Folinate 3mg/ml Injection
- The
active substance is calcium folinate
- The
other ingredients are sodium chloride and Water for
Injections.
1. What
Calcium Folinate Injection is and what it is used for
Calcium
Folinate Injection is a vitamin from the B group in the
form of a solution for injection.
This
medicine is presented in glass containers called
ampoules.
Each ml of
solution in the ampoules contains 3 mg of folinic acid
as calcium folinate. It is available in packs of 5.
Calcium
folinate is used:
- to
reduce the harmful effects and treat overdose of
certain types of anti-cancer medicines e.g.
methotrexate and other folate antagonists.
2.
Before Calcium Folinate Injection is used
Calcium Folinate Injection should not be used:
-
if you suffer from particular type of anaemia
caused by too little of the vitamin B12
(pernicious anaemia).
-
if you have shown signs of hypersensitivity
(severe allergy) to calcium folinate on previous
occasions
Tell
your doctor if:
-
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
-
you are taking, or have recently taken any
medicines including ones that are not prescribed
for you including;
-
methotrexate – a medicine used in the
treatment of cancer and certain disorders
where depression of the immune system is
required (Calcium Folinate will not be given
at the same time as this medicine, as it may
stop it from working properly. It will be
given 12-24 hours afterwards).
-
medicines used for epilepsy e.g.
phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone or
succinimides.
-
5-Fluorouracil – a medicine used in the
treatment of cancer
3. How
Calcium Folinate Injection is used
The dose of
medicine given to you will depend on your medical
condition and the dose of methotrexate you have been
given.
When used to
reduce the harmful effects of methotrexate it will be
given 12-24 hours after methotrexate treatment starts.
The first dose of calcium folinate is 15 mg given 12 to
24 hours after methotrexate treatment starts, followed
by 15mg every 6 hours for the next 72 hours.
When used to
treat overdosage of methotrexate, doses of up to 75mg
within 12 hours will be given, followed by 12mg every 6
hours for 4 doses.
48 hours
after treatment with methotrexate starts, the level of
methotrexate in your body will be measured and your dose
of calcium folinate may need to be adjusted.
If you are
taking trimetrexate, calcium folinate should be given
everyday during treatment and for 72 hours after the
last dose of trimetrexate. Calcium folinate may be given
to you as a tablet to be taken 4 times a day.
If you have
received a high dose of trimetrexate, calcium folinate
will be given as an injection into a vein every 6 hours
for 3 days once you have stopped taking trimetrexate.
To reduce
the harmful effects of trimethoprim, 3-10 mg per day of
calcium folinate will be given after stopping taking
trimethoprim until your blood count returns to normal.
To reduce
the harmful effects of pyrimethamine, 5 – 50 mg per day
of calcium folinate will be given at the same time as
your pyrimethamine.
This
medicine can be given as an injection into the muscle or
vein or as a slow injection via a drip into a vein
(infusion). If it is given via a drip then it may be
diluted with 5% glucose injection or 0.9% sodium
chloride injection.
As this
medicine will be given to you whilst you are in hospital
is unlikely that you will be given too little or too
much, however, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any concerns.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all
medicines, calcium folinate can have side effects.
If
the following happens, tell your doctor immediately:
-
severe allergic reaction – you 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), and you may feel you are going to
faint.
These
are very serious side effects. You may need urgent
medical attention. All of these very serious side
effects are rare.
-
Other side-effects are rare, although you may
feel feverish after the injection. You may have
difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or you might
suffer from depression after high doses of
calcium folinate. If you are epileptic, you may
have an increase in the frequency of your fits
which may be due to an interaction with your
epilepsy medicines. If you do experience this
tell your doctor as soon as possible:
If you
notice any side effects not mentioned in this
leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5.
Storing Calcium Folinate Injection
Keep out of
the reach and sight of children.
The ampoules
should be stored in a refrigerator (+2°C to +8°C)
Store the
ampoules in the outer carton in order to protect from
light.
This
medicine should not be used after the expiry date
printed on the ampoule label and carton.
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