Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 20, 2022.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
- Powder for Solution
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Methotrexate Rescue
Uses for leucovorin
Leucovorin is used as an antidote to the harmful effects of methotrexate (a cancer medicine) that is given in high doses. It is used also to prevent or treat certain kinds of anemia. Leucovorin acts the same way in the body as folic acid, which may be low in these patients.
Leucovorin is also used along with fluorouracil (a cancer medicine) to treat cancer of the colon (bowel).
Leucovorin is available only with a prescription.
Before using leucovorin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For leucovorin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to leucovorin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
In children with seizures, leucovorin may increase the number of seizures that occur.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of leucovorin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking leucovorin, it is especially important that your healthcare prof...
