Folicid 50

• Neutralising the immediate toxic effects of folic acid antagonists - e.g., methotrexate
• Calcium folinate rescue - using calcium folinate in conjunction with folic acid antagonists to minimise systemic toxicity
• Treatment of megaloblastic anaemias due to sprue, nutritional deficiency, pregnancy, infancy, liver disease and malabsorption syndrome

Folinic Acid Rescue:

• Required when methotrexate is given at doses exceeding 500 mg/m2.
• Start approximately 24 hours after the beginning of methotrexate infusion.
• Generally 15 mg (approximately 10 mg/m2) every 6 hours for 10 doses.

Neutralising Methotrexate Toxicity:

• Dose of Folinic Acid should be equal to or greater than the dose of methotrexate.
• Administer within one hour of methotrexate administration.

Megaloblastic anaemia (folate deficiency):

• 5 mg to 15 mg per day.

Children and adolescents: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

* Use as directed by the registered physician

Common Side Effects:

• Mucositis
• Stomatitis
• Leukopenia
• Diarrhea
• Allergic sensitisation
• Rash
• Pruritus
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pyrexia

Precautions:

• Use under the direct supervision of a clinician experienced in cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
• Caution in undiagnosed megaloblastic anaemia and folate dependent tumors.
• Ensure prompt excretion of methotrexate by alkalinising urine (pH >7.0) and increasing fluid intake.