Brand Names:

Generic Name: leucovorin (oral) (Pronunciation: loo koe VOR in)

• What is leucovorin ?
• What are the possible side effects of leucovorin ?
• What is the most important information I should know about leucovorin ?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking leucovorin ?
• How should I take leucovorin ?
• What happens if I miss a dose ?
• What happens if I overdose ?
• What should I avoid while taking leucovorin ?
• What other drugs will affect leucovorin ?
• Where can I get more information?

What is leucovorin ?

Leucovorin is a form of folic acid. Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. Folic acid is present in many foods such as dried beans, peas, oranges, spinach, and others.

Leucovorin is used to reduce the side effects of large doses or accidental overdose of medications that can reduce the effects of folic acid in the body. This includes methotrexate (Rheumatrex), pyrimethamine (Daraprim), trimethoprim (Trimpex, Proloprim), and others.

Leucovorin may also be used to treat anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy.

Leucovorin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Leucovorin 10 mg-ROX

round, white, imprinted with 54 942

Leucovorin 15 mg-ROX

round, yellow, imprinted with 54 650

Leucovorin 25 mg-BAR

round, green, imprinted with b, 485

Leucovorin 25 mg-ROX

round, yellow, imprinted with 54 013

Leucovorin 5 mg-BAR

round, white, imprinted with b, 484

Leucovorin 5 mg-ROX

round, white, imprinted with 54 293

What are the possible side effects of leucovorin ?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about leucovorin ?

Do not take leucovorin if you have anemia that is caused by a lack of vitamin B12.

Before taking leucovorin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney, liver, or lung disease.

Before taking leucovorin, tell your doctor if you are using fluorouracil (Adrucil), phenytoin (Dilantin), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), ethotoin (Peganone), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), or primidone (Mysoline).

When treating an accidental overdose, leucovorin should be started as soon as possible for best effect.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with leucovorin.