Manufacturer: Biochem Pharmaceutical Industries
Salt Composition : Calcium Leucovorin(15mg)
Biovorin 15 Tablet can be taken with or without food. 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.
Biovorin 15 Tablet is a form of vitamin B. It works by protecting healthy cells from the toxic effects of methotrexate (anticancer medicine) while allowing it to enter and kill the cancer cells.
Leucovorin enhances the activity of fluorouracil by stabilizing the bond of the active metabolite (5-FdUMP) to the enzyme thymidylate synthetase. Following oral administration, leucovorin is rapidly absorbed. The apparent bioavailability of leucovorin was 97% for 25 mg, 75% for 50 mg, and 37% for 100 mg.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Biovorin
No common side effects seen
Folic acid hypersensitivity.
Pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency megaloblastic anemia.
Intrathecal administration.
Stomatitis, vomiting.
Geriatric.
Benzyl alcohol hypersensitivity, neonates.
Pregnancy.
Breast-feeding.
Biovorin 15 Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Biovorin 15 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Information regarding the use of Biovorin 15 Tablet during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Use with caution
Below 9years: Contraindicated
Leucovorin calcium is indicated in the treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency when oral therapy is not feasible. Leucovorin is also indicated for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil to prolong survival in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
If you use other drugs or over the counter products at the same time, the effects of Biovorin 15 Tablet may change. This may increase your risk for side-effects or cause your drug not to work properly. Tell your doctor about all the drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are using, so that you doctor can help you prevent or manage drug interactions. Biovorin 15 Tablet may interact with the following drugs and products:
Fluorouracil
Methotrexate
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Primidone
Do not chew, crush or break it. Biovorin 15 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Store below 30°C
If you miss a dose of Biovorin 15 Tablet, 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.
Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
You have been prescribed Biovorin 15 Tablet to reduce the side effects of the medicine methotrexate.
Take it 24 hours after taking methotrexate. If taken at the same time, it may counteract the effect of methotrexate.
Inform your doctor if you are also taking certain medications such as phenytoin for your seizures as Biovorin 15 Tablet may counteract the antiepileptic effects.
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Biovorin 15 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Q. What is Biovorin 15 Tablet used for?
Biovorin 15 Tablet is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (a cancer chemotherapy medication) when methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer. Biovorin 15 Tablet 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. What is megaloblastic anemia?
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.
Q. How long does it take for Biovorin 15 Tablet to work?
Biovorin 15 Tablet starts acting on the body within 20-30 minutes of oral intake. However, this might vary with respect to dosage, the patient receiving the drug, and response to treatment.
Q. What are some of the laboratory tests conducted before or during the treatment with Biovorin 15 Tablet?
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 Biovorin 15 Tablet. 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 Biovorin 15 Tablet contains calcium.
Q. What measures should be taken to ensure the prompt excretion of methotrexate during treatment with Biovorin 15 Tablet?
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.
