LEUCOVORIN CALCIUM INJECTION USP 10mg/ML

Product Information

Registration Status: Active

LEUCOVORIN CALCIUM INJECTION USP 10mg/ML is approved to be sold in Singapore with effective from 1993-08-18. It is marketed by PFIZER PTE LTD, with the registration number of SIN07473P.

This product contains Folinic Acid 10mg/ml in the form of INJECTION. It is approved for INTRAVENOUS, INTRAMUSCULAR use.

This product is manufactured by PFIZER (PERTH) PTY LTD in AUSTRALIA.

It is an Over-the-counter Medicine that can be freely obtained from any retailer

Folinic Acid

Description

Folinic Acid (also known as 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid or leucovorin) is the 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid, a necessary co-factor in the body. Commercially available leucovorin is composed of a 1:1 racemic mixture of the dextrorotary and levorotary isomers, while levoleucovorin contains only the pharmacologically active levo-isomer. In vitro, the levo-isomer has been shown to be rapidly converted to the biologically available methyl-tetrahydrofolate form while the dextro form is slowly excreted by the kidneys. Despite this difference in activity, the two commercially available forms have been shown to be pharmacokinetically identical and may be used interchangeably with limited differences in efficacy or side effects (Kovoor et al, 2009). As folate analogs, leucovorin and levoleucovorin are both used to counteract the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists, such as methotrexate, which act by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). They are indicated for use as rescue therapy following use of high-dose methotrexate in the treatment of osteosarcoma or for diminishing the toxicity associated with inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists. Injectable forms are also indicated for use in the treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency when oral therapy is not feasible and for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil to prolong survival in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Folic acid is an essential B vitamin required by the body for the synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and methionine before incorporation into DNA or protein. However, in order to function in this role, it must first be reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) into the cofactors dihydrofolate (DHF) and tetrahydrofolate (THF). This important pathway, which is required for de novo synthesis of nucleic acids and amino acids, is disrupted when high-dose methotrexate is used for cancer therapy. As methotrexate functions as a DHFR inhibitor to prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, it also prevents the formation of DHF and THF. This results in a deficiency of coenzymes and a resultant buildup of toxic substances that are responsible for numerous adverse side effects associated with methotrexate therapy. As levoleucovorin and leucovorin are analogs of tetrahydrofolate (THF), they are able to bypass DHFR reduction and act as a cellular replacement for the co-factor THF, thereby preventing these toxic side effects.

Indication

For the treatment of osteosarcoma (after high dose methotrexate therapy). Used to diminish the toxicity and counteract the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdosages of folic acid antagonists, and to treat megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency. Also used in combination with 5-fluorouracil to prolong survival in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Mechanism of Action

As leucovorin is a derivative of folic acid, it can be used to increase levels of folic acid under conditions favoring folic acid inhibition (following treatment of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate). Leucovorin enhances the activity of fluorouracil by stabilizing the bond of the active metabolite (5-FdUMP) to the enzyme thymidylate synthetase.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption
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.
Distribution
Metabolism
Hepatic and intestinal mucosal, the main metabolite being the active 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Leucovorin is readily converted to another reduced folate, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which acts to stabilize the binding of fluorodeoxyridylic acid to thymidylate synthase and thereby enhances the inhibition of this enzyme.
Elimination

Toxicity

LD50>8000 mg/kg (orally in rats). Excessive amounts of leucovorin may nullify the chemotherapeutic effect of folic acid antagonists.

Active Ingredient/Synonyms

(5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl)glutamate | 10-Formyl-7,8-dihydrofolic acid | 5-Formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid | 5-Formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamic acid | 5-Formyltetrahydrofolate | 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid | Acide folinique | folinate | Folinic acid | L(-)-5-Formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid | Leucovorinum | N-(5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl)-L-glutamic acid | N5-Formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid | N5-Formyltetrahydrofolic acid | Leucovorin |


Source of information: Drugbank (External Link). Last updated on: 3rd July 18. *Trade Name used in the content below may not be the same as the HSA-registered product.

References

  1. Health Science Authority of Singapore - Reclassified POM
  2. Drugbank