Calcium Folinate Injection is used to prevent the harmful effects of methotrexate (anticancer medicine). It is also used to treat overdose of methotrexate. Calcium Folinate Injection is given as a slow injection into veins under the supervision of a doctor. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness) are common side effects of this medicine. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells and serum methotrexate concentration in blood. Before taking it, tell your doctor if have seizures, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using, especially phenytoin for your seizures. To make sure it is safe for you, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

If you miss a dose of Calcium Folinate Injection, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Chemical Class::Glutamic acid Derivatives|Habit Forming::No|Therapeutic Class::BLOOD RELATED|Action Class::Cytoprotective agents- methotrexate

• Q. Q. What is Calcium Folinate Injection used for??
  Ans: Calcium Folinate Injection is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (cancer chemotherapy medication) when methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer. Calcium Folinate Injection is also used to treat people who have accidentally received an overdose of methotrexate or similar medications. It is also used for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency and when oral therapy is not feasible.
• Q. Q. What is megaloblastic anemia??
  Ans: Anemia is a blood disorder in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) that carry oxygen is lower than usual. As a result, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Megaloblastic anemia is a form of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells and a decrease in the number of those cells. Usually, megaloblastic anemia is due to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. How long does it take for Calcium Folinate Injection to work?
• Q. Q. How long does it take for Calcium Folinate Injection to work??
  Ans: Calcium Folinate Injection starts acting on the body within 5 minutes of administration. However, this might vary with respect to dosage, the patient receiving the drug, and response to treatment.
• Q. Q. What are some of the laboratory tests conducted before or during the treatment with Calcium Folinate Injection??
  Ans: Your doctor will prescribe blood tests to check your levels of serum methotrexate concentration (in case of methotrexate chemotherapy or overdose) to determine the optimal dose and duration of treatment with Calcium Folinate Injection. You will also be prescribed a complete blood count to monitor the number of red blood cells (in case of megaloblastic anemia). Along with this, your calcium levels will also be monitored in order to prevent hypercalcemia (excess calcium) since Calcium Folinate Injection contains calcium.
• Q. Q. What measures should be taken to ensure the prompt excretion of methotrexate during treatment with Calcium Folinate Injection??
  Ans: Maintenance of urine output above 2,500 mL/24hr in adults by increasing oral or intravenous fluids 12 hours before and for 36 hours after the end of methotrexate infusion. To monitor alkalinization of urine (this enhances drug excretion) so that the urinary pH is greater than 7.0 before methotrexate infusion. Foods, drinks, and drugs that may increase urinary acidity should be avoided during the therapy. Finally, blood methotrexate concentration should be measured at least 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initiation of the methotrexate infusion.

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