Is leucovorin a chemotherapy drug?
Leucovorin is not a chemotherapy drug itself, however it is used in addition to these chemotherapy drugs to enhance anti-cancer effects (with fluorouracil) or to help prevent or lessen side effects (with methotrexate).
What is the difference between leucovorin and folic acid?
Folinic acid is a medication used in the treatment of various cancers in combination with 5-FU. It is also commonly used as an antidote to folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate. Folinic acid (leucovorin) is an antidote, chemotherapy modulating agent, and rescue agent for the chemotherapy class of medications.
Can you take leucovorin and folic acid together?
You should not take supplemental folic acid while receiving leucovorin, as this may enhance the effect to an undesirable degree. If you are taking the oral form of leucovorin, it is important to make sure you are taking the correct amount of medication every time.
What does leucovorin treat?
Leucovorin is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall; cancer chemotherapy medication) when methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer. Leucovorin is also used to treat people who have accidentally received an overdose of methotrexate or similar medications.
Can leucovorin cause seizures?
In children with seizures, leucovorin may increase the number of seizures that occur.
What type of drug is leucovorin?
Leucovorin is in a class of medications called folic acid analogs. It works by protecting healthy cells from the effects of methotrexate or similar medications while allowing methotrexate to enter and kill cancer cells.
How long does it take for leucovorin to work?
The onset of action is less than 5 minutes for intravenous dosing and 10 to 20 minutes and 20 to 30 minutes for intramuscular and oral administration, respectively. Leucovorin rapidly absorbs after oral administration; however, the absorption remains saturated in the gut for doses of more than 25 mg.
How does leucovorin work with methotrexate?
Leucovorin works differently depending on whether it is used with methotrexate (MTX) or fluorouracil (5-FU). Methotrexate: Leucovorin is given to “rescue” the gastrointestinal lining and bone marrow cells from MTX toxicity. Fluorouracil : Leucovorin increases the effectiveness of 5-FU, increasing the anticancer effect.
How does leucovorin potentiate 5FU?
Folinic acid (leucovorin, [LV]) can potentiate the growth inhibitory effects of fluorouracil (5-FU) in vitro and in vivo. LV is a precursor for 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate (CH2-THF). Sufficient levels of CH2-THF enhance the inhibition of the enzyme thymidylate synthase by the 5-FU metabolite FdUMP.
What is leucovorin prescribed for?
The medicine Leucovorin Calcium is used to treat Megaloblastic anemia
What is leucovorin rescue?
leucovorin rescue. Oncology A strategy–administration of a formulation of vitamin B for preventing ‘collateral damage’ to normal cells when using MTX, an antimetabolite, to treat lymphomas and other malignancies, which may cause BM suppression and GI Sx. See Methotrexate .