Folvite-D

Drug overview for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Generic name: cholecalciferol (vit D3)/folic acid (VYE-ta-min/FOE-lik AS-id)
Drug class: Folic Acid
Therapeutic class: Electrolyte Balance-Nutritional Products

Folic acid is a water-soluble, B complex vitamin.

Vitamin D analogs are used to prevent or treat rickets or osteomalacia and to manage hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism. Since calcitriol is more expensive than ergocalciferol, use of the former drug is generally reserved for patients with inadequate metabolism of ergocalciferol. The initial treatment of severe hypocalcemia is immediate IV administration of a calcium salt such as calcium gluconate.

Vitamin D analogs are then used to maintain normocalcemia. Because of its shorter onset of action, calcitriol may be preferable to ergocalciferol in the acute treatment of hypocalcemia. Oral calcitriol also is used in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) who do not yet require maintenance dialysis therapy (predialysis patients) and in the management of hypocalcemia and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis.

IV calcitriol is used in the management of hypocalcemia in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. IV or oral doxercalciferol is used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD undergoing dialysis. Oral doxercalciferol also is used for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD who do not yet require maintenance dialysis (predialysis patients).

IV paricalcitol is used in the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 5 CKD, while oral paricalcitol is used in the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD as well as in those with stage 5 CKD requiring hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Calcifediol is used in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 CKD and vitamin D insufficiency. Because of the risk of toxicity, therapy with vitamin D analogs should be closely monitored, and indiscriminate use of these drugs should be avoided.

Folic acid is used for the treatment of megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias resulting from folate deficiency. The drug is usually indicated in the treatment of nutritional macrocytic anemia; megaloblastic anemias of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood; and megaloblastic anemia associated with primary liver disease, alcoholism and alcoholic cirrhosis, intestinal strictures, anastomoses, or sprue. Folate deficiency may also result from increased loss of folate secondary to renal dialysis or the administration of some drugs such as phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates, methotrexate, nitrofurantoin, or sulfasalazine.

Folic acid is not effective in the treatment of normocytic, refractory, or aplastic anemias or, when used alone, in the treatment of pernicious anemia. Folic acid antagonists (e.g., methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim) inhibit folic acid reductases and prevent the formation of tetrahydrofolic acid. Therefore, folic acid is not effective as an antidote following overdosage of these drugs, and leucovorin calcium must be used.

In large doses, folic acid is used in the treatment of tropical sprue. In patients with this disease, the drug appears to exert a beneficial effect on the underlying mucosal abnormality as well as to correct folate deficiency. Although prophylactic administration of folic acid is not required in most individuals, supplemental folic acid may be required to prevent deficiency of the vitamin in patients with conditions that increase folic acid requirements such as pregnancy, nursing, or chronic hemolytic anemia.

In some patients, such as those with nutritional megaloblastic anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency or tropical or nontropical sprue, a simultaneous deficiency of folic acid and cyanocobalamin may exist, and combined therapy may be warranted. Likewise, combined folic acid and iron therapy may be indicated for prevention or treatment of megaloblastic anemia associated with iron deficiency as may occur in conditions such as sprue, megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy, and megaloblastic anemia of infants.

DRUG IMAGES

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The following indications for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Vitamin deficiency prevention
Vitamin deficiency

Professional Synonyms:
Vitamin deficiency prophylaxis

The following dosing information is available for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Dosing
Administration
FOLVITE-D
Generic

Dosage of folic acid injection (sodium folate) is expressed in terms of folic acid. In general, although patient response to folic acid therapy depends on the degree and nature of the deficiency, once proper corrective measures are undertaken, folate-deficient patients generally respond rapidly. During the first 24 hours of treatment, the patient experiences an improved sense of well-being, and within 48 hours, the bone marrow begins to become normoblastic.

Reticulocytosis generally begins within 2-5 days following initiation of folic acid therapy.

Dietary intake of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol varies among individual patients, and dietary intake should always be considered when calculating the appropriate dosage of vitamin D analogs. During therapy with vitamin D analogs, dosage depends on the nature and severity of the patient's hypocalcemia and must be individualized to maintain serum calcium concentrations of 9-10 mg/dL. In the management of hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, and familial hypophosphatemia, the range between therapeutic and toxic effects is narrow; however, hypercalcemia may occur at any time when therapeutic doses of vitamin D analogs are used, and careful monitoring is imperative.

In the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism, dosage of vitamin D analogs should be individualized according to serum or plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentrations and serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations.

During therapy with vitamin D analogs, patients should receive adequate amounts of calcium through management of diet or administration of calcium supplements; however, overdosage of calcium may lead to hypercalcemia. Dosage of vitamin D analogs should be decreased when symptoms improve and before biochemical normality or complete bone healing has occurred because requirements for vitamin D analogs often decrease after bone healing occurs. In patients who become bedridden (especially children), dosage reduction may occasionally be needed to avoid hypercalcemia.

Folic acid is usually administered orally. When oral administration is not feasible or when malabsorption is suspected, the drug may be administered by deep IM, subcutaneous, or IV injection. However, most patients with malabsorption are able to absorb oral folic acid.

Vitamin D analogs are usually administered orally; however, calcitriol, doxercalciferol, and paricalcitol may be given by IV injection. Ergocalciferol may be given by IM injection; however, a suitable formulation of the drug for IM injection no longer is commercially available in the US.

Dosing information for FOLVITE-D
DRUG LABEL	DOSING TYPE	DOSING INSTRUCTIONS
FOLVITE-D 1,000-94.375 MCG TAB	Maintenance	Adults take 1 tablet by oral route once daily

No generic dosing information available.

The following drug interaction information is available for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Contraindicated
Severe
Moderate

There are 0 contraindications.

There are 1 severe interactions. These drug interactions can produce serious consequences in most patients. Actions required for severe interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration scheduling, and providing additional patient monitoring. Review the full interaction monograph for more information.

Drug Interaction	Drug Names
Erdafitinib/Serum Phosphate Level-Altering Drugs SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Medications that alter serum phosphate may interfere with interpretation of phosphate levels that are needed to determine initial erdafitinib dose.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Serum phosphate levels that are elevated by concomitant medications may result in an inappropriately low dose and decreased effectiveness of erdafitinib. Serum phosphate levels that are decreased by concomitant medications may result in an inappropriately high dose and increased toxicity from erdafitinib. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of erdafitinib states that agents that alter serum phosphate levels should be avoided before the initial dose increase period for erdafitinib based on serum phosphate levels (days 14 to 21).(1) DISCUSSION: Concomitant administration of serum phosphate level-altering agents during the initial dose increase period of erdafitinib based on serum phosphate levels (days 14 to 21) may interfere with serum phospate levels and lead to incorrect dosing of erdafitinib.(1) Agents that may alter serum phosphate levels linked to this monograph include: aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, calcium acetate, calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, cod liver oil, ferric citrate, lanthanum, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, sevelamer, sodium phosphate, sucroferric oxyhydroxide, tenapanor, and vitamin D.(1)	BALVERSA

Drug Interaction

Drug Names

Erdafitinib/Serum Phosphate Level-Altering Drugs

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Medications that alter serum phosphate may interfere with interpretation of phosphate levels that are needed to determine initial erdafitinib dose.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Serum phosphate levels that are elevated by concomitant medications may result in an inappropriately low dose and decreased effectiveness of erdafitinib. Serum phosphate levels that are decreased by concomitant medications may result in an inappropriately high dose and increased toxicity from erdafitinib.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of erdafitinib states that agents that alter serum phosphate levels should be avoided before the initial dose increase period for erdafitinib based on serum phosphate levels (days 14 to 21).(1)

DISCUSSION: Concomitant administration of serum phosphate level-altering agents during the initial dose increase period of erdafitinib based on serum phosphate levels (days 14 to 21) may interfere with serum phospate levels and lead to incorrect dosing of erdafitinib.(1) Agents that may alter serum phosphate levels linked to this monograph include: aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, calcium acetate, calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, cod liver oil, ferric citrate, lanthanum, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, sevelamer, sodium phosphate, sucroferric oxyhydroxide, tenapanor, and vitamin D.(1)

BALVERSA

There are 4 moderate interactions. The clinician should assess the patient’s characteristics and take action as needed. Actions required for moderate interactions include, but are not limited to, discontinuing one or both agents, adjusting dosage, altering administration.

Drug Interaction	Drug Names
Hydantoins/Folic Acid; Pyrimethamine SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Unknown, but probably involves altered metabolism of the hydantoin. CLINICAL EFFECTS: May observe decreased effectiveness of hydantoin, resulting in loss of seizure control. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: If both drugs are administered, monitor both the hydantoin plasma levels as well as the seizure control of the patient. Adjust the dose of hydantoin accordingly. DISCUSSION: The effects of an interaction are not expected to occur in the majority of patients. Discontinuation of folic acid has caused phenytoin levels to increase in patients who experienced a decrease in phenytoin levels when folic acid was started. Monitor these patients for hydantoin toxicity. Signs and symptoms of hydantoin toxicity include ataxia, nystagmus and involuntary movements.	CEREBYX, DILANTIN, DILANTIN-125, FOSPHENYTOIN SODIUM, PHENYTEK, PHENYTOIN, PHENYTOIN SODIUM, PHENYTOIN SODIUM EXTENDED
Orlistat/Fat Soluble Vitamins SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: The acetate ester forms of vitamin A and vitamin E must undergo hydrolysis for absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.(1) The enzyme responsible for this hydrolysis is inhibited by orlistat.(2) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Orlistat may reduce absorption of fat soluble vitamins, leading to a deficiency state. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: A pre-existing deficiency of fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K) or chronic malabsorption syndrome. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The inhibition of fat soluble vitamin absorption by orlistat should be borne in mind during implementation of a vitamin supplementation strategy. Patients should be strongly encouraged to take a multivitamin supplement which contains fat soluble vitamins, particularly Vitamin D as it appears most susceptible to this interaction.(4,5) Multivitamin supplements should be taken at least two hours before or after the dose of orlistat, or at bedtime.(4) Patients with chronic malabsorption syndromes should not receive orlistat.(4) DISCUSSION: Adult patients taking orlistat without supplementation showed a greater reduction in vitamin A,D,E and beta-carotene levels compared to placebo during two or more consecutive visits in studies of 1-2 years duration; these patients had normal baseline values prior to orlistat therapy. Low vitamin values in orlistat patients were as follows: low Vitamin D 12%, low beta-carotene 6.1%, low Vitamin E 5.8%, low Vitamin A 2.2%.(4) A pharmacokinetic interaction study showed a 30% reduction in beta-carotene supplement absorption and a 60% decreased in vitamin E acetate absorption with concomitant orlistat.(4) In a study, orlistat produced the vitamin net concentration by approximately 43%.(1) In a study, no statistically significant decrease in vitamin A absorption was observed with concurrent orlistat.(2) In a study, mean vitamin D levels were significantly reduced compared with baseline after one month of orlistat therapy despite multivitamin supplementation.(5)	ORLISTAT, XENICAL
Colesevelam/Fat Soluble Vitamins SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Colesevelam may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.(1) CLINICAL EFFECTS: Colesevelam may reduce absorption of fat soluble vitamins, leading to a deficiency state. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: A pre-existing deficiency of fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K) or chronic malabsorption syndrome. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The inhibition of fat soluble vitamin absorption by colesevelam should be borne in mind during implementation of a vitamin supplementation strategy. Oral multivitamin supplements should be taken at least four hours before the dose of colesevelam.(1) DISCUSSION: Colesevelam may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.(1)	COLESEVELAM HCL, WELCHOL
Pafolacianine/Folic Acid SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Folate, folic acid, and folate-containing supplements may reduce binding of pafolacianine to folate receptors expressed on ovarian cancer cells. CLINICAL EFFECTS: Folate, folic acid, and folate-containing supplements could reduce the detection of malignant lesions with pafolacianine. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid administration of folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements within 48 hours before administration of pafolacianine. DISCUSSION: Folate, folic acid, and folate-containing supplements may reduce binding of pafolacianine to folate receptors expressed on cancer cells, which could result in reduced detection of malignant lesions with pafolacianine.	CYTALUX

The following contraindication information is available for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Overview
Contraindicated
Severe
Moderate

Drug contraindication overview.

No enhanced Contraindications information available for this drug.

There are 1 contraindications. Absolute contraindication.

Contraindication List
Hypervitaminosis D

There are 3 severe contraindications. Adequate patient monitoring is recommended for safer drug use.

Severe List
Hypercalcemia
Hyperphosphatemia
Kidney stone

There are 2 moderate contraindications. Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.

Moderate List
Kidney disease with reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFr)
Sarcoidosis

The following adverse reaction information is available for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Overview
Severe
Less Severe

Adverse reaction overview.

No enhanced Common Adverse Effects information available for this drug.

There are 2 severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Bronchospastic pulmonary disease Concentration difficulty

There are 14 less severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Abdominal distension Acute cognitive impairment Anorexia Depression Dysgeusia Erythema Excitement Flatulence Irritability Malaise Nausea Pruritus of skin Skin rash Sleep disorder

The following precautions are available for FOLVITE-D (cholecalciferol (vit d3)/folic acid):

Pediatric
Pregnant
Lactation
Geriatric

No enhanced Pediatric Use information available for this drug.

Contraindicated

None

Severe Precaution

None

Management or Monitoring Precaution

None

A characteristic physiognomy, possibly with aortic valvular stenosis, retinopathy, and mental and/or physical retardation, has occurred following prolonged hypercalcemia in infants and in neonates of mothers with hypercalcemia during pregnancy. Hypercalcemia during pregnancy may also lead to suppression of PTH concentrations in the neonate resulting in hypocalcemia, tetany, and seizures. Safe use of calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol (no longer commercially available in the US), paricalcitol, or ergocalciferol during pregnancy has not been established; however, the risks to the mother and fetus from untreated hypoparathyroidism or hypophosphatemia may be greater than those resulting from administration of vitamin D analogs.

Safe use of calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, doxercalciferol, paricalcitol, or ergocalciferol during lactation has not been established; however, the risks to the mother and fetus from untreated hypoparathyroidism or hypophosphatemia may be greater than those resulting from administration of vitamin D analogs. Large doses of vitamin D analogs should not be administered to nursing women.

No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.