Unifolin 50mg Injection contains the active substance Leucovorin calcium which is chemically related to a vitamin called folic acid. It belongs to the class folic acid analogs. It is used to prevent the harmful effects of methotrexate medicine when treating certain types of cancer. It is also used to treat people who have accidentally overdosed on methotrexate medicine or medications that belong to a similar class. It is also used with other anticancer medications to treat colorectal cancer (cancer that begins in the colon or rectum). Other uses include treating anemia caused by low levels of folic acid in the body.
Do not take Unifolin 50mg Injection if you are allergic to Leucovorin calcium, calcium folinate, or any other ingredients of this medicine if you have certain types of anemia (pernicious anemia or megaloblastic anemia) where vitamin B12 is deficient. Before initiating the treatment, inform your physician if you have anemia, kidney, heart, or liver problems. Inform your physician if you are using any medications for treating seizures. Notify your physician if you face any symptoms of wheezing or trouble breathing, skin rash, itching or hives, or swelling in the lips, face, or tongue.
Uses of Unifolin 50mg Injection
Therapeutic Effects of Unifolin 50mg Injection
Unifolin 50mg Injection counteracts the therapeutic effects of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate and similar medications by inhibiting the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. It treats anemia by supplying the folic acid needed for red blood cell formation. It treats colorectal cancer by enhancing the therapeutic effects of another anticancer medication called 5-fluorouracil.
Interaction of Unifolin 50mg Injection with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with the effects of Unifolin 50mg Injection and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Especially inform your physician if you are taking medications for seizures.
More Information about Unifolin 50mg Injection
How to consume Unifolin 50mg Injection
A trained physician or nurse in cancer chemotherapy will administer the drug to you. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the treatment based on your disease condition, severity, and other factors. The medicine is administered either intravenously (into your vein) or intramuscularly (into your muscle) based on your disease condition.
Safety Advices for Unifolin 50mg Injection
Pregnancy
There is a limited number of studies on the safety of Unifolin 50mg Injection during pregnancy, and it is unknown whether the medicine can be given during pregnancy. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant.
Breast Feeding
Limited information is available on Unifolin 50mg Injection safety during breastfeeding. Inform your physician if you are planning to breastfeed.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Unifolin 50mg Injection can be used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
It is unknown whether Unifolin 50mg Injection can be used in patients with liver disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any liver diseases before starting the treatment.
Alcohol
It is unknown whether it is safe to consume alcohol when taking Unifolin 50mg Injection. Consult your doctor for more advice.
Driving
It does not affect the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Unifolin 50mg Injection.
Side Effects of Unifolin 50mg Injection
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Inflammmed and sore mouth
- Tiredness
Serious
- Allergic reactions
Word of Advice
If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking these medicinal products. Inform your doctor if you have vomited immediately after receiving the injection. If you accidentally take too much Unifolin 50mg Injection. contact your doctor and seek medical advice immediately. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will regularly do lab tests to check the effectiveness of the medicine.
FAQs
Q 1. Why is Unifolin 50mg Injection given 24 hours after methotrexate?
Unifolin 50mg Injection is usually administered 24 hours after methotrexate so that it does not interfere with the therapeutic effect of methotrexate. It can also be used in methotrexate overdose; it should be administered as soon as possible.
Q 2. Can Unifolin 50mg Injection cause swelling?
Unifolin 50mg Injection may cause allergic reactions like rash, low blood pressure, wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face or throat.
Q 3. Can Unifolin 50mg Injection cause seizures?
There is no evidence that Unifolin 50mg Injection cause seizures. But the medicine can affect the effect of seizure medication when administered concurrently. Inform your physician about all your medicines, including over-the-counter medications.
Q 4. How long does it take for Unifolin 50mg Injection to work?
Unifolin 50mg 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 5. What measures should be taken to ensure the prompt excretion of methotrexate during treatment with Unifolin 50mg Injection?
A healthcare professional will monitor you during the treatment with this medicine. 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 the 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.
Fact Box of Unifolin 50mg Injection
Molecule name: Leucovorin Calcium | Therapeutic class: 1. Antineoplastics 2. Antidote 3. Rescue agents |
Pharmacological class: Folic acid analogs | Indications: 1. Methotrexate overdose and toxicity 2. Prevent the harmful effects of methotrexate or similar medication 3. Anemia 4. Colorectal cancer |