Manufacturer: United Biotech Pvt Ltd
Salt Composition : Calcium Leucovorin(15mg)
Unifolin 15mg Injection is given as a slow injection into veins under the supervision of a doctor. 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.
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness) are common side effects of this medicine. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells and serum methotrexate concentration in blood.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if have seizures, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using, especially phenytoin for your seizures. To make sure it is safe for you, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
Calcium Leucovorin 15mg Injection 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 is an active metabolite of folic acid and an essential coenzyme for nucleic acid synthesis. 1 Leucovorin can be used to selectively “rescue” cells from the adverse effects of methotrexate or to increase the efficacy of fluorouracil.
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
Folic acid hypersensitivity.
Pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency megaloblastic anemia.
Intrathecal administration.
Stomatitis, vomiting.
Geriatric.
Benzyl alcohol hypersensitivity, neonates.
Pregnancy.
Breast-feeding.
Unifolin 15mg Injection 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 Unifolin 15mg Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Information regarding the use of Unifolin 15mg Injection during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Leucovorin 15mg Injection 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.
LEUCOVORIN may interact with anticancer medicine (fluorouracil, capecitabine), medicines for fits/epilepsy (phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, succinimide), antibiotic (trimethoprim, ceftriaxone).
Kindly do not self administer.
Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze.
If you miss a dose of Unifolin 15mg Injection, 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 Unifolin 15mg Injection 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 Unifolin 15mg Injection may counteract the antiepileptic effects.
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Q. What is Unifolin 15mg Injection used for?
Unifolin 15mg Injection is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (cancer chemotherapy medication) when methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer. Unifolin 15mg Injection 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. How long does it take for Unifolin 15mg Injection to work?
Q. How long does it take for Unifolin 15mg Injection to work?
Unifolin 15mg Injection starts acting on the body within 5 minutes of administration. 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 Unifolin 15mg Injection?
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 Unifolin 15mg Injection. 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 Unifolin 15mg Injection contains calcium.
Q. What measures should be taken to ensure the prompt excretion of methotrexate during treatment with Unifolin 15mg Injection?
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.
