Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

LEVOFOLINIC ACID, CALCIUM SALT

STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE

Not considered a hazardous substance according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200.

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Folinic acid is the 5- formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid, the active metabolite of
folic acid. Folic acid is a haematopoietic (blood forming) vitamin present free or
combined with one or more additional molecules of L(+)- glutamic acid in liver, kidney,
mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves and grasses. Folinic acid, as the calcium salt, is
used an antidote to folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate which act by binding to
dihydrofolate reductase, the enzyme responsible for conversion to tetrahydrofolate. Also
used in conjunction with methotrexate to reduce its toxicity (" folinic acid rescue" ,
calcium leucovorin rescue" ). Also effective in the treatment of megoblastic anaemia.

SYNONYMS

C20-H21-Ca-N7-O7, "glutamic acid, N-(p-(((2-amino-5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-3-
hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)-methyl)amino)benzoyl)-, calcium salt (1:1), L-", "glutamic acid,
N-(p-(((2-amino-5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)-
methyl)amino)benzoyl)-, calcium salt (1:1), L-", "N-(4-(((2-amino-5-formyl-1, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8-hexahydro-4-oxo-6-pteridinyl)-methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamic acid calcium salt",
"N-(4-(((2-amino-5-formyl-1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-hexahydro-4-oxo-6-pteridinyl)-
methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamic acid calcium salt", "N-(p-((2-amino-5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-
tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)-methyl)amino)benzoyl)glutamic acid calcium salt", "N-
(p-((2-amino-5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)-
methyl)amino)benzoyl)glutamic acid calcium salt", "5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydropteroyl-
L-glutamic acid calcium salt", "5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamic acid
calcium salt", "5-formyl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydrofolic acid calcium salt", "5-formyl-5, 6, 7,
8-tetrahydrofolic acid calcium salt", "formyl tetrahydropteroylglutamic acid, calcium
salt", "levoleucovorin calcium", "leucovorin calcium", "calcium citrovorum factor",
"calcium 5-formyltetrahydroformate", "calcium 5-formyltetrahydroformate", "calcium levo-
folinate", "calcium levoleucovorin", Lederfolin, Ledervorin, Leucosar, Rescufolin,
Rescuvolin, Wellcovorin

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

None

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Persons with impaired respiratory function, airway diseases and conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, may incur further disability if excessive concentrations of particulate are inhaled.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact/absorption and inhalation of generated dust.  Allergic reactions may occasionally occur following administration;  pyrexia has been reported after injection.