Levoleucovorin

LEVOLEUCOVORIN- levoleucovorin calcium injection, solution
Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Levoleucovorin Injection is indicated for:

  • rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in adult and pediatric patients with osteosarcoma.
  • diminishing the toxicity associated with overdosage of folic acid antagonists or impaired methotrexate elimination in adult and pediatric patients.
  • the treatment of adults with metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with fluorouracil.

Limitations of Use

Levoleucovorin Injection is not indicated for pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia secondary to the lack of vitamin B12 , because of the risk of progression of neurologic manifestations despite hematologic remission.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Use Information

Levoleucovorin injection is indicated for intravenous administration only. Do not administer intrathecally.

2.2 Co-administration of Levoleucovorin Injection with Other Agents

Due to the risk of precipitation, do not co-administer levoleucovorin injection with other agents in the same admixture.

2.3 Recommended Dosage for Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy

The recommended dosage for levoleucovorin injection is based on a methotrexate dose of 12 grams/m2 administered by intravenous infusion over 4 hours. Twenty-four hours after starting the methotrexate infusion, initiate levoleucovorin injection at a dose of 7.5 mg (approximately 5 mg/m2) as an intravenous infusion every 6 hours.

Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels at least once daily. Continue levoleucovorin injection administration, hydration, and urinary alkalinization (pH of 7 or greater) until the methotrexate level is below 5 x 10-8 M (0.05 micromolar). Adjust the levoleucovorin injection dose or extend the duration as recommended in Table 1.

Table 1 Recommended Dosage for Levoleucovorin Injection based on Serum Methotrexate and Creatinine Levels

* These patients are likely to develop reversible renal failure. In addition to appropriate levoleucovorin injection therapy, continue hydration and urinary alkalinization and monitor fluid and electrolyte status, until the serum methotrexate level has fallen to below 0.05 micromolar and the renal failure has resolved.

Clinical Situation Laboratory Findings Recommendation
Normal Methotrexate Elimination Serum methotrexate level approximately 10 micromolar at 24 hours after administration, 1 micromolar at 48 hours, and less than 0.2 micromolar at 72 hours. Administer 7.5 mg by intravenous infusion every 6 hours for 60 hours (10 doses starting at 24 hours after start of methotrexate infusion).
Delayed Late Methotrexate Elimination Serum methotrexate level remaining above0.2 micromolar at 72 hours, and more than0.05 micromolar at 96 hours after administration. Continue 7.5 mg by intravenous infusion every 6 hours until methotrexate level is less than 0.05 micromolar.
Delayed Early Methotrexate Elimination and/or Evidence of Acute Renal Injury* Serum methotrexate level of 50 micromolar or more at 24 hours, or 5 micromolar or more at 48 hours after administrationOR100% or greater increase in serum creatinine level at 24 hours after methotrexate administration (e.g., an increase from 0.5 mg/dL to a level of 1 mg/dL or more). Administer 75 mg by intravenous infusion every 3 hours until methotrexate level is less than 1 micromolar; then 7.5 mg by intravenous infusion every 3 hours until methotrexate level is less than 0.05 micromolar.

Impaired Methotrexate Elimination or Renal Impairment

Decreased methotrexate elimination or renal impairment which are clinically important but less severe than the abnormalities described in Table 1 can occur following methotrexate administration. If toxicity associated with methotrexate is observed, in subsequent courses extend levoleucovorin injection rescue for an additional 24 hours (total of 14 doses over 84 hours).

Third-Space Fluid Collection and Other Causes of Delayed Methotrexate Elimination

Accumulation in a third space fluid collection (i.e., ascites, pleural effusion), renal insufficiency, or inadequate hydration can delay methotrexate elimination. Under such circumstances, higher doses of levoleucovorin injection or prolonged administration may be indicated.

2.4 Recommended Dosage for Overdosage of Folic Acid Antagonists or Impaired Methotrexate Elimination

Start levoleucovorin injection as soon as possible after an overdosage of methotrexate or within 24 hours of methotrexate administration when methotrexate elimination is impaired. As the time interval between methotrexate administration and levoleucovorin injection increases, the effectiveness of levoleucovorin injection to diminish methotrexate toxicity may decrease. Administer levoleucovorin injection 7.5 mg (approximately 5 mg/m2) by intravenous infusion every 6 hours until the serum methotrexate level is less than 5 x 10-8 M (0.05 micromolar).

Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels at least every 24 hours. Increase the dosage of levoleucovorin injection to 50 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 hours and continue levoleucovorin injection at this dosage until the methotrexate level is less than 5 x 10-8 M for the following:

  • if serum creatinine at 24-hours increases 50% or more compared to baseline
  • if the methotrexate level at 24-hours is greater than 5 x 10-6 M
  • if the methotrexate level at 48-hours is greater than 9 x 10-7 M,

Continue concomitant hydration (3 L per day) and urinary alkalinization with sodium bicarbonate. Adjust the sodium bicarbonate dose to maintain urine pH at 7 or greater.

2.5 Dosage in Combination with Fluorouracil for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

The following regimens have been used for the treatment of colorectal cancer:

  • Levoleucovorin injection 100 mg/m2 by intravenous injection over a minimum of 3 minutes, followed by fluorouracil at 370 mg/m2 by intravenous injection, once daily for 5 consecutive days.
  • Levoleucovorin injection 10 mg/m2 by intravenous injection, followed by fluorouracil 425 mg/m2 by intravenous injection, once daily for 5 consecutive days.

Administer fluorouracil and levoleucovorin injection separately to avoid the formation of a precipitate.

This five-day course may be repeated every 4 weeks for 2 courses, then every 4 to 5 weeks, if the patient has recovered from the toxicity from the prior course. Do not adjust levoleucovorin injection dosage for toxicity.

Refer to fluorouracil prescribing information for information on fluorouracil dosage and dosage modifications for adverse reactions.

2.6 Preparation for Administration

Levoleucovorin Injection

  • Levoleucovorin contains no preservative. Observe strict aseptic technique during reconstitution of the drug product. Discard unused portion.
  • Levoleucovorin solutions may be further diluted to concentrations of 0.5 mg per mL in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP. Do not store the product diluted using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP for more than 4 hours at room temperature.
  • Visually inspect the diluted solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not use if cloudiness or precipitate is observed.
  • Inject no more than 16 mL of levoleucovorin injection (160 mg of levoleucovorin) intravenously per minute, because of the calcium content of the levoleucovorin solution.
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