Folinic acid (as  calcium folinate) 50 mg/5 ml

Solution for injection

Indicated for:
- Diminish the toxicity and counteract the action of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate in cytotoxic therapy and overdose in adults and children
- In combination with 5-fluorouracil in cytotoxic therapy.

Calcium Folinate Rescue in methotrexate therapy: 

Dosage and duration of use of Calcium folinate primarily depend on the type and dosage of methotrexate therapy, the occurrence of toxicity symptoms, and the individual excretion capacity for methotrexate. As a rule, the first dose of Calcium folinate is 15 mg (6-12 mg/m²) to be given 12-24 hours (24 hours at the latest) after the beginning of the methotrexate infusion. The same dose is given every 6 hours throughout a period of 72 hours. After several parenteral doses treatment can be switched over to the oral form.

In combination with 5-fluorouracil in cytotoxic therapy: 

Bimonthly regimen:

Calcium folinate 200mg/m² by intravenous infusion over two hours, followed by an intravenous bolus of 400 mg/m² of 5-Fluorouracil and a 22-hour intravenous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (600 mg/m²) for 2 consecutive days, every 2 weeks on days 1 and 2.

Weekly regimen:

Calcium folinate 20mg/m² by intravenous bolus. injection or 200 to 500 mg/m² intravenous. infusion over a period of 2 hours, plus 500 mg/m² 5-fluorouracil as an intravenous bolus injection in the middle, or at the end, of the calcium folinate infusion.

Monthly regimen:

Calcium folinate 20 mg/m² by bolus i.v. injection or 200 to 500 mg/m² as i.v. infusion over a period of 2 hours immediately followed by 425 or 370 mg/m² 5-fluorouracil as an intravenous bolus injection over five consecutive days.

For the use of calcium folinate in combination with 5-fluorouracil, modification of the 5-fluorouacil dosage and the treatment-free interval may be necessary depending on patient condition, clinical response and dose limiting toxicity as stated in the product information of 5-fluorouracil. A reduction of calcium folinate dosage is not required.