- Brand Name : Leucovorin
- Drug Class : Antidotes, Other, Rescue Agents Chemotherapy
- Medical Author : Sarfaroj Khan, BHMS, PGD Health Operations
- Medical Reviewer :
- _eael_post_view_count : 13
What Is Leucovorin and How Does It Work?
Leucovorin is a prescription medication used to treat Methotrexate Overdose, High Dose Methotrexate Rescue, Megaloblastic Anemia Due to Folate Deficiency, Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma (with 5FU), Methanol Poisoning, and Trimethoprim Toxicity.
- Leucovorin is available under different brand names.
What Are Dosages of Leucovorin?
Adult and pediatric dosage
Tablets
- 5mg
- 10mg
- 15mg
- 25mg
Injection, powder for reconstitution
- 50mg
- 100mg
- 200mg
- 350mg
- 500mg
Injectable solution
- 10mg/mL
Methotrexate Overdose
Adult and pediatric dosage
- Administer as soon as possible and within 24 hours methotrexate level is greater than 10-6 M or 48 hours level is over 9×10-7 M, the dose of leucovorin should be increased to 100 mg/m2 IV every 3 hours until methotrexate level is less than 10-8 M.
High Dose Methotrexate Rescue
Adult and pediatric dosage
- 10 mg/m2 IV every 6 hours for 10 doses; starts 24 hours after beginning of methotrexate infusion.
- May give orally after 1st IV dose
Megaloblastic Anemia Due to Folate Deficiency
Adult and pediatric dosage
- Up to 1 mg daily; there is no evidence that doses greater than 1 mg/day have greater efficacy than those of 1 mg; additionally, loss of folate in urine becomes roughly logarithmic as the amount administered exceeds 1 mg
Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma (with 5FU)
Adult dosage
- Recommended 20 mg/m2 IV followed by 425 mg/m2 fluorouracil
- Dose reduction treatment pause may be necessary based on hematologic toxicity
Methanol Poisoning
Adult dosage
- 1 mg/kg (50-70 mg adults) IV every 4-6 hours
Trimethoprim Toxicity
Adult and pediatric dosage
- 10 mg/m2 orally every 6 hours
Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:
- See “Dosages.”