Leucovorin calcium is a folic acid analog approved for its medical use on December 02, 2002, by US food and drug administration.

Leucovorin calcium is used to prevent the harmful effects of methotrexate medicine when treating certain types of cancer. It is also used to treat people who have accidentally overdosed on methotrexate medicine or medications that belong to a similar class. It is also used with other anticancer medications to treat colorectal cancer (cancer that begins in the colon or rectum). Other uses include treating anemia caused by low levels of folic acid in the body.

Leucovorin calcium is available as injection and tablet. The drug should be administered only by healthcare professionals experienced with cancer chemotherapy. Your physician will determine the dose and frequency of administration based on the type of cancer and severity of the disease. The medicine is administered either intravenously (into your vein) or intramuscularly (into your muscle) based on your disease condition. 

If you are prescribed tablets, then take the tablets as prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. It is important to take your medicine at the same time every day.

The common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, inflamed and sore mouth, and tiredness. Serious side effects include allergic reactions like rash, low blood pressure, wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face or throat.

This drug may cause hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in your blood). Notify your healthcare professional if you face any symptoms during or after the administration of the drug. Inform your physician immediately if you have diarrhea symptoms after administering leucovorin calcium.

Inform your physician if you have or ever had liver disease, kidney problems, heart problems, before starting the treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect pregnancy, or planning to become pregnant.  Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to leucovorin calcium, calcium folinate, or any of the other ingredients in it. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with the effects of Leucovorin calcium and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects. Especially inform your physician if you are taking medications for seizures.

Store leucovorin calcium in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C. Keep the injection away from the reach of children and pets. If you forgot your dosing schedule, inform your healthcare professional immediately and reschedule the dosing. Inform your doctor if you have vomited immediately after receiving the injection. If you accidentally take too much leucovorin calcium, contact your doctor and seek medical advice immediately. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Your physician may advise you to do regular blood tests to monitor your disease condition and the effectiveness of the treatment.

1. Calcium Folinate 10 mg/ml Injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2020 [cited 2023 Apr 4]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1572/smpc
2. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. [cited 2023 Apr 4]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/020140s024lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Drug toxicity and poisoning, 12th edition, 2011, 86.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Haematinics and erythropoietin, 7th edition, 2013, 611.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.