Leucovorin (injection)

Leucovorin is a type of folic acid (a kind of vitamin B). Folic acid helps your body create and maintain new cells, and it also helps prevent DNA changes that might lead to cancer. Not having enough folic acid can cause anemia, which is when you have fewer red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.

Leucovorin is used to treat anemia (low red blood cells) due to a lack of natural folic acid in the body.

Leucovorin is also used to prevent serious side effects from large doses or accidental overdose of medications that can lower the effects of folic acid in the body. This includes methotrexate, pyrimethamine, and others.

Leucovorin is sometimes used in combination with chemotherapy to help people with advanced colorectal cancer live longer. Leucovorin does not treat cancer itself.

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

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

You should not be treated with 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; or
• if you are dehydrated.

Also, inform your doctor about all other medications you are currently taking. 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.

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.

In an emergency situation, it may not be possible to inform your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

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

When leucovorin is used alone, it may cause few or no side effects. Some side effects can happen when leucovorin is used with fluorouracil.

Tell your caregivers or call your doctor right away if you have:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• sores or redness in your mouth, pain when eating or swallowing;
• a seizure; or
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or stopped permanently if you have certain side effects.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are overweight, malnourished, or weakened.

Common side effects in people treated with leucovorin and fluorouracil may include:

• diarrhea; or
• mouth sores.

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

Leucovorin is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

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

Leucovorin is usually given every 6 hours when used to treat accidental overdose or to prevent side effects from high-dose methotrexate or similar medicines.

When used in chemotherapy, leucovorin is usually given for 5 days in a row, every 4 to 5 weeks.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

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

Leucovorin is usually given with other medications to help your kidneys remove methotrexate from your body if needed. You may also be treated with IV fluids to keep you from getting dehydrated.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Leucovorin (injection).

Since leucovorin (injection) is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

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

• fluorouracil;
• sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (such as Bactrim, Septra, 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.