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Overview: Leucovorin is used to help prevent side effects from certain medicines that lower folate. It is also used to help treat certain cancers and for people with a rare genetic condition that affects how the body uses folate. Serious side effects may include allergic reactions. Contact your health care provider right away if you have a skin rash, itching, or swelling of your face, lips, throat, or tongue. Leucovorin is available by prescription as an oral tablet and as an injection.

Uses

What is leucovorin used for?

Leucovorin is commonly used for the following conditions.

  • Reducing side effects from high-dose chemotherapy with methotrexate

  • Treating certain types of anemia, which is a condition where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells

  • Treating some forms of colorectal cancer

  • Treating folate receptor 1‑related cerebral folate deficiency (FOLR1-CFD), which is a rare inherited condition that prevents enough folate from reaching the brain. The condition may cause seizures, movement problems, and developmental delays with features of autism.

Leucovorin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does leucovorin work (mechanism of action)?

Leucovorin is turned into folic acid in your body. Folic acid can protect your healthy cells from the effects of high-dose methotrexate. When leucovorin is used for cancer, it can make certain chemotherapies work better to target and kill the cancer cells. When leucovorin is used for FOLR1-CFD, it provides an active form of folate that can reach the brain.

How is leucovorin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Wellcovorin

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg oral tablets
  • 15 mg oral tablets
  • 25 mg oral tablets

Leucovorin is also available in injectable forms.

How should I store leucovorin?

Oral Tablet. Leucovorin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place and protect from light. 

Injection Liquid. Leucovorin is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of leucovorin?

The most common side effects of leucovorin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Severe allergic reactions (see below)

There may be other side effects of leucovorin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of leucovorin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of leucovorin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Leucovorin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking leucovorin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use leucovorin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take leucovorin.

  • Leucovorin
  • Levoleucovorin
  • Folic acid
  • Folinic acid
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific leucovorin products they stock.

Anemia. If you have certain types of anemia (low red blood cells), such as pernicious anemia or a megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12, you should not take or use leucovorin. Your health care provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell levels before you start leucovorin. 

What should I know about leucovorin before using it?

Do not take leucovorin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share leucovorin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep leucovorin out of the reach of children.

Your health care provider may do blood tests before and during your treatment with leucovorin. Attend all appointments so that your health care provider can make sure leucovorin is safe for you. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using leucovorin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if leucovorin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Leucovorin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using leucovorin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Seizures. Leucovorin may make seizure medicines less effective and can increase the risk of seizures in certain children. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had a seizure. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how leucovorin could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if leucovorin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does leucovorin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between leucovorin and foods or drinks.

 It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect leucovorin.

Does leucovorin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using leucovorin.

  • Phenobarbital, phenytoin, or primidone, which is a medicine commonly used to prevent seizures
  • 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which is a chemotherapy medicine that is used to treat certain cancers
  • Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, which is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with leucovorin. Always check with your health care provider.

 

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much leucovorin?

If you or someone else has used too much leucovorin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of leucovorin?

Oral Tablet. If you miss a dose of leucovorin tablets, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Injection Liquid. Leucovorin injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving leucovorin as scheduled. Make sure to attend all appointments for your leucovorin injection. If you miss an appointment to get your leucovorin dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.