Leucovorin and methotrexate

a. Leucovorin reduces the risk of a transfusion reaction from methotrexate. b. Leucovorin increases platelet production and prevents bleeding. c. Leucovorin potentiates the cytotoxic effects of methotrexate. d. Leucovorin protects healthy cells from methotrexate's toxic effect.

It is not used simultaneously with methotrexate, as it might then nullify the therapeutic effect of the methotrexate. Leucovorin has also been used to enhance

Leucovorin is a medication used in the treatment of methotrexate toxicity and chemotherapy regimens. Leucovorin is a folate analog. This activity reviews the indications, action, and contraindications for leucovorin as a valuable agent in the reversal of methotrexate toxicity and as a part of chemotherapy regimens. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse event profile

Methotrexate rescue is a technique used in cancer chemotherapy. The technique involves the admininstration of leucovorin after high dose methotrexate treatment.

The methotrexate-leucovorin protocol used significantly reduces common side effects of methotrexate therapy without significantly altering efficacy. Related

Leucovorin Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy The recommendations for leucovorin rescue are based on a methotrexate dose of 12 to 15 grams/m2 administered by intravenous infusion over 4 hours (see methotrexate package insert for full prescribing information).4 Leucovorin rescue at a dose of 15 mg (approximately 10 mg/m2) every 6 hours

Where large doses of methotrexate have been given, leucovorin may be administered by Leucovorin may limit methotrexate action on normal cells

fluorouracil. Methotrexate inhibits nucleic acid synthesis by blocking the activation of folic acid. Leucovorin is folic acid in its active (reduced) form, so it allows nucleic acid synthesis to proceed even in the presence of methotrexate. Leucovorin can also compete with methotrexate for the same transport processes into the cell.2 Leucovorin is

Leucovorin calcium is a reduced form of folic acid, leucovorin supplies the necessary cofactor blocked by methotrexate.