Folinic Acid (Folinic Acid)
Overview of Folinic Acid
Folinic Acid is the 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid. It can act as a co-enzyme carrier in certain folate mediated reactions. Folinic Acid is used as an antidote of antifolate cytotoxic agents and to treat megaloblastic anemia.
Indication of Folinic Acid
Indications
Contraindication of Folinic Acid
Folinic Acid is contraindicated in conditions like Pernicious anaemia,Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Side Effects of Folinic Acid
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Folinic Acid, which give rise to further complications include Nausea, Vomiting, Alopecia, Skin rashes, Neurological complications, Severe diarrhea.,Folinic Acid produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Myelosuppression, Diarrhea, Allergic sensitization, Fatal anaphylaxis, Mucositis, Bloody rhinorrhea. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Folinic Acid therapy.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Folinic Acid are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Pyrexia.
Precautions of Folinic Acid
Caution is advised in patients who may have folate dependant tumor. Folinic acid should not be given alone or in conjunction with inadequate amount of vitamin B12 for the treatment of undiagnosed megaloblastic anaemia. Leucovorin should not be used in case of pernicious anemia secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency because the drug alleviates the hematological effects of B12 deficiency while allowing the neurological complications to continue. The drug can only be used during pregnancy when the potential risk to the fetus over- weigh against the potential benefits to the mother.