Leucovorin

Leucovorin Injection is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (cancer chemotherapy medication) when methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer. Leucovorin Injection is also used to treat people who have accidentally received an overdose of methotrexate or similar medications. It is also used for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency and when oral therapy is not feasible.

Anemia is a blood disorder in which the number of red blood cells (RBCs) that carry oxygen is lower than usual. As a result, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Megaloblastic anemia is a form of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells and a decrease in the number of those cells. Usually, megaloblastic anemia is due to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. How long does it take for Leucovorin Injection to work?

Leucovorin Injection starts acting on the body within 5 minutes of administration. However, this might vary with respect to dosage, the patient receiving the drug, and response to treatment.

Your doctor will prescribe blood tests to check your levels of serum methotrexate concentration (in case of methotrexate chemotherapy or overdose) to determine the optimal dose and duration of treatment with Leucovorin Injection. You will also be prescribed a complete blood count to monitor the number of red blood cells (in case of megaloblastic anemia). Along with this, your calcium levels will also be monitored in order to prevent hypercalcemia (excess calcium) since Leucovorin Injection contains calcium.

Maintenance of urine output above 2,500 mL/24hr in adults by increasing oral or intravenous fluids 12 hours before and for 36 hours after the end of methotrexate infusion. To monitor alkalinization of urine (this enhances drug excretion) so that the urinary pH is greater than 7.0 before methotrexate infusion. Foods, drinks, and drugs that may increase urinary acidity should be avoided during the therapy. Finally, blood methotrexate concentration should be measured at least 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initiation of the methotrexate infusion.