Leucovorin

Leucovorin is a type of folic acid. Folic acid helps your body make and keep new cells, and it also helps prevent changes to DNA that could lead to cancer. Folic acid is found in many foods like dried beans, peas, oranges, spinach, and others.

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

Leucovorin may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

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

Leucovorin is usually given with other medications to help your kidneys remove methotrexate from your body. You may also receive IV fluids to prevent dehydration.

You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor decide how long to treat you with leucovorin.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not take leucovorin if you have pernicious anemia or other types of anemia that are caused by not having enough vitamin B12.

You should not take leucovorin if you have pernicious anemia or other types of anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12.

If possible before you receive leucovorin, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• breathing problems; or
• if you are dehydrated.

Also tell your doctor about all other medications you are currently using. There are many other drugs that can interact with methotrexate and slow down your body's ability to process and eliminate the drug. This can affect how quickly methotrexate is able to leave your body, even with the help of leucovorin.

It is not known whether leucovorin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether leucovorin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of leucovorin is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. However, leucovorin overdose can make other medications less effective.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any you begin or stop using, especially:

• fluorouracil;
• sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Cotrim, SMZ-TMP or SMX-TMP); or
• seizure medicine--phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with leucovorin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.