Folinate, calcium

Leucovorin Calcium (Folinic Acid Citrovorum Factor)... 

Robert F, Raben D, Spencer S. UFT /oral calcium folinate plus radiation in pancreatic cancer. Oncology (Huntingt) 1999 13(7 Suppl 3) 127-128. 

It is used as leucovorin calcium (calcium folinate). It is 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid and it acts as an antidote to folic acid antagonists like methotrexate or pyrimethamine which inhibit the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. 

Common Name Calcio folinato Calcium folinate Leucovorin calcium Structural Formula ... 

Pneumocystosis, caused by Pneumoq/stis carinii (now classified as a fungus), is an important cause of potentially fatal pneumonia in the immimo-suppressed. It is treated with co-trimoxazole in high dose (120 mg/kg daily in 2-4 divided doses for 14 days by mouth or i.v. infusion). Intolerant or resistant cases may benefit from pentamidine or, if mild to moderate, from atovaquone, or trimetrexate (given with calcium folinate). Co-trimoxazole by mouth or intermittent inhaled pentamidine are used for prophylaxis in patients with AIDS. 

Folic acid, folinic acid, and calcium folinate... 

Folinic acid is a reduced form of folic acid. The adverse effects of antifolate drugs that are tetrahydrofolate reductase inhibitors, such as methotrexate, cannot be prevented by giving folic acid, since antifolate drugs inhibit the conversion of foUc acid to folinic acid. Folinic acid is therefore given instead, as calcium folinate (leucovorin). Flowever, in patients who take antifolate drugs intermittently (for example methotrexate once a week in psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis) folic acid taken on another day is adequate. 

If irinotecan is combined with 5-fluorouracil and calcium folinate, an infusion regimen of fluorouracil rather than bolus administration is associated with a lower incidence of severe toxicity (leukopenia and life-threatening sepsis) (157). 

Leucovorin Caldum, U5P. Leucovorin calcium, A/(4- [(2-amino-5-formyll,4.5,6,7,8-hexahydro-4-oxo-6-pteri-dinyI)methyl]amino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid, calcium salt, calcium 5-formyl-5,6.7,8-tetrahydrofolate, calcium folinate, occurs as a yellowish-white or yellow, odorless, microcrystalline powder that is insoluble in alcohol and very soluble in water. 

Calcium forms used therapeutically include the folinic acid supplement calcium folinate, and the mineral supplements calcium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate and calcium lactate. 

Leucovorin folinicadd. leucovorin calcium calcium folinate. leukaemomycin C daunorubidn. 

LEUCOVORIN CALCIUM (FOLINIC ACID) (Wellcovorin tablets 5 mg)... 

Calcium salt pentahydrate. C H 1(CaN-jO-i5 H 30, calcium folinate, YSC-3590, Leucovorin, Leucosar, Rescufolin, Resca-volin, Wellcovorin. Off-white to light beige amorphous. 

A study in which intravenous methotrexate, cyclophosphamide and fluor-ouracil (CMF) were used within 36 hours of mastectomy suggested that stomatitis may be caused by a toxic interaction between methotrexate and nitrous oxide used during anaesthesia. Stomatitis was much more common in those receiving CMF within 6 hours of surgery. " A possible reason is that the effects of methotrexate on tetrahydrofolate metabolism are increased by nitrous oxide, and this has been confirmed in animals It was found that the incidence of stomatitis, severe leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and of severe systemic and local infections could be reduced by giving calcium folinate (leucovorin) and intravenous hydration. Alternatively, the use of nitrous oxide shortly before methotrexate administration should be avoided. ... 

The pharmacist must look carefully at the chemical form in which the active substance (see Sect. 23.1) of the preparation is prescribed (or meant to be prescribed), because the active substance may be available in various forms such as a base, ester or salt. Also the amount of water of crystallisation in the raw material may vary. E.g. folinic acid is dosed as the calcium salt. The doctor may use a brand name in the prescription, in this case Leucovorine . This contains 15 mg folinic acid in the form of calcium folinate. 

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