CALCIUM FOLINATE INJECTION 10 mg/ml

INJECTION

**4.2. Posology and Method of Administration** Calcium folinate may be given parenterally by intramuscular injection, intravenous injection or intravenous infusion. When required for intravenous infusion, it may be diluted with 5% Glucose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Diluted solutions should be used immediately, but if this is not possible the diluted solution may be stored for a maximum of 24 hours at 2–8°C, protected from light. **Calcium Folinate Rescue (Adults and Children)** Calcium folinate may be used in conjunction with folic acid antagonists, e.g. Methotrexate, to reduce their systemic toxicity. It is given 12 to 24 hours after the antineoplastic drug. Doses of up to 120 mg maybe given over 12 to 24 hours by intramuscular injection or intravenous injection or infusion followed by 12 to 15 mg intramuscularly or 15 mg orally, every 6 hours for the next 48 hours. With lower doses of methotrexate, leucovorin 15 mg orally every 6 hours for 48 to 72 hours may be sufficient. **Treatment of Megaloblastic Anaemia** The dose should not exceed 1 mg daily given intramuscularly. When given orally, the recommended dosage is one Calcium Leucovorin Tablet (15 mg) daily. Children up to 12 years: 0.25 mg/kg/day. Normal adult dosage: 10–20 mg daily. **Treatment of Overdosage of Folic Acid Antagonists** In cases of overdosage of folic acid antagonists, calcium folinate may be administered by intravenous infusion in doses of up to 75 mg within 12 hours, followed by 12 mg intramuscularly every 6 hours for 4 doses. In general, where overdosage is suspected, the dose of calcium folinate should be equal to or greater than the offending dose of the folic acid antagonist administered, and should be given as soon as possible; preferably within the first hour and certainly within 4 hours after which it may not be effective.