FOLOTYN is given once a week over a period of 6 weeks, with no treatment during the 7th week. These 7-week treatment cycles with FOLOTYN can be continued for as long as you and your healthcare team agree that the treatment is working for you and is being tolerated.
FOLOTYN is an “outpatient” treatment so you do not need to be hospitalized. It is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion that can last up to 5 minutes. That means that a healthcare professional will insert a needle and FOLOTYN will be delivered into your vein through a small tube.
While you are taking FOLOTYN, you should also take vitamin B12 and folic acid, two important nutrients that may help to reduce your chances of mucositis and low blood counts.
Your healthcare team will instruct you to take folic acid by mouth every day starting 10 days before your first dose of FOLOTYN. Your doctor will tell you when it is okay to stop taking folic acid.
You will also receive a vitamin B12 injection (into a muscle) prior to your first dose of FOLOTYN, as well as every 8-10 weeks while you are getting treatment with FOLOTYN. Subsequent vitamin B12 injections may be given the same day as treatment with FOLOTYN. You will also have weekly blood tests, so that your healthcare team can monitor your health.
Cycle 1: Outpatient Dosing Schedule
| Week 1 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 2 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 3 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 4 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 5 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 6 | 3 to 5 min. treatment |
| Week 7 | No treatment |
FOLOTYN is given once a week over a period of 6 weeks, with no treatment during the 7th week. These 7-week treatment cycles with FOLOTYN can be continued for as long as you and your healthcare team agree that they are helpful to you.
It is important to take vitamin B12 and folic acid, as directed by your doctor.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT FOLOTYN
Tell your doctor about you medical conditions, including liver and kidney problems. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how FOLOTYN works, and FOLOTYN may affect how other medicines work. Especially tell your doctor if you take: sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim (Bactrim®, Septra®, Septra DS, Sulfatrim Pediatric, Sulfamethoprim, Sulfamethoprim-DS), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), probenecid (Probalan, Col-Probenecid). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is listed above. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor or pharmacist each time you start a new medicine. Please see patient information within the full Prescribing Information for FOLOTYN. |