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Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley

Drugs that are not chemotherapy

Leucovorin injection

What does leucovorin injection do?

LEUCOVORIN (Wellcovorin®) helps to prevent or treat some of the harmful effects of certain medicines, including methotrexate. Leucovorin can also treat certain kinds of anemia (low blood counts). Leucovorin may also be given with a chemotherapy medicine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to treat colon cancer. Generic leucovorin injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive leucovorin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

·pernicious anemia or any other type of anemia

·vitamin B12 deficiency

·an unusual or allergic reaction to leucovorin, folic acid, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

·pregnant or trying to get pregnant

·breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Leucovorin is for injection into a muscle, or for slow injection into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What other medicines can interact with leucovorin?

·barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures

·phenytoin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving leucovorin?

Leucovorin has few side effects; they include:

·difficulty breathing

·skin rash, or itching

What do I need to watch for while I receive leucovorin?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.

If you receive leucovorin with 5-fluorouracil, 5-FU, you may experience more side effects due to the 5-FU. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you notice diarrhea or mouth sores that do not get better or get worse.

Where can I keep my medicine?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic setting. You will not need to take this medicine at home.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

[ Revised 2/15/00]

This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.

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