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Treatment Options > Chemotherapy > OncoLink Rx

Leucovorin (Calcium Leucovorin, Citrovorum Factor, Folinic Acid)

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: February 26, 2006

Leucovorin is actually a "reduced" form of folic acid, which is a vitamin. ("Reduced" refers to a chemical change in the structure of a substance). It is not technically chemotherapy, although it is given in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Facts about leucovorin

• Leucovorin is used with the chemotherapy drug fluorouracil (5-FU). In this case, leucovorin is used to enhance the effects of the fluorouracil, i.e. to make the drug work better.
• Leucovorin is also given with a chemotherapy agent called methotrexate, but in this case it is given to "rescue" normal, healthy cells from the damage caused by the methotrexate. In order to give the methotrexate time to kill the cancer cells, leucovorin is started 12-24 hours after the methotrexate is given. If the two were given together, the leucovorin would protect the cancer cells as well as the healthy cells. Leucovorin is given every 6 hours until the blood level of methotrexate is at an acceptable level (this level varies by protocol).

How to take leucovorin

This medication can be given in an intravenous (IV) or oral form (by mouth). The dosage is based on the particular protocol being used by the doctor. You should not take supplemental folic acid while receiving leucovorin, as this may enhance the effect to an undesirable degree.

How long should you take leucovorin? This also depends on the treatment protocol. In general, leucovorin is given once with each dose of fluorouracil. With methotrexate, the drug is started 12-24 hours after the methotrexate and continued every 6 hours until the blood level of methotrexate is acceptable.