Leucovorin
Description
Leucovorin is used to reduce the harmful effects of chemotherapy medications such as methotrexate. It is also used to treat an overdose of anticancer medicines. It is also used to treat a deficiency of folic acid and a certain specific type of anemia. It increases the effects of 5-Fluorouracil and is used with it in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Leucovorin
- Severe skin rash and hives
- Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Fainting
- Fever
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Agitation and anxiety
- Indigestion
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Peeling and blistering of skin
- Constipation
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Uses of Leucovorin
What is it prescribed for?
- Methotrexate rescue
- Folic acid antagonist overdose
- Megaloblastic Anemia
- Colorectal Cancer
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of oral forms of this medicine can be observed within 20 to 30 minutes. The effect of an intravenous administration can be observed within 5 minutes and the effect of an intramuscular administration can be observed within 10 to 20 minutes.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 6 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before beginning therapy with this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to leucovorin/calcium folinate or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Pernicious anemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients suffering from an anemia caused due to the deficiency of vitamin B12.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before beginning therapy with this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
This medicine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you report all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, to the doctor before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Use in elderly
This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly patients since the risk of adverse effects is significantly high. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the patient's condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with an active seizure disorder since it may worsen the patient's condition. This risk is especially higher if higher doses of this medicine are used. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the patient's clinical condition.
Serious allergic reactions
Use of this medicine may cause severe or life-threatening allergic reactions in some patients. This risk is especially higher when this medicine is used as a part of a combination therapy. Report any unusual symptoms such as increased sweating, difficulty breathing, itching, chills, etc. to your doctor immediately. Appropriate corrective measures and replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the patient's condition.
Form of medicine and dosing schedule
The dosing schedule and form of administration are likely to vary based on the condition being treated and co-administration of other medicines along with leucovorin. Do not change the dose or schedule of uptake of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Gastrointestinal toxicities
The combination therapy of 5-fluorouracil and this medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of gastrointestinal toxicities. These toxicities may include swelling of the gastrointestinal tract walls and diarrhea. This risk is especially higher if the combination therapy is used for a prolonged period of time. Therapy should not be initiated or continued in such patients unless symptoms of toxicity are completely resolved.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, then the missed dose can be skipped. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Injectable forms: Since this medicine is usually administered in a clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low. If you miss a scheduled appointment for a dose of this medicine, contact your doctor for further instructions.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injectable forms: Since this medicine is usually administered in a clinic/hospital, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be instituted by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenobarbital
Fluorouracil
Capecitabine
Trimethoprim
Ceftriaxone
Phenytoin
Methotrexate
Disease interactions
Undiagnosed anemia
This medicine should not be used to treat an undiagnosed anemia. It should not be used if the anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 since it may worsen the patient's condition.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of seizure disorders since it may worsen the patient's condition. This risk is especially higher if higher doses of this medicine are used. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Injectable forms: This medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Report to the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, and your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving treatment with this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine protects healthy cells from the harmful effects of anticancer drugs. It is an analog of folic acid and helps in the formation of red blood cells. It also increases the effect of certain anti-cancer medicines such as 5-fluorouracil.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antidotes
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medsafe.govt.nz. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Tevauk.com. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
Leucovorin calcium [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Sep 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.