What is Levoleucovorin Calcium
LevoleucovorinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLevoleucovorin is a medication used to counteract the toxic effects of folic acid antagonists, such as methotrexate. It is used to rescue patients from the side effects of high-dose methotrexate and also in combination with 5-fluorouracil to treat advanced colorectal cancer. Levoleucovorin is an active form of Folinic Acid and is converted in the body to methyl-tetrahydrofolate, a form of folic acid that is essential for the body's production of DNA and protein.
Fusilevis the brand name
Levoleucovorin Calcium Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Fusilev
Levoleucovorin
2008
30
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Levoleucovorin, also called Fusilev, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses including Colorectal Carcinoma and Therapeutic procedure .Colorectal Carcinoma
Used to treat Advanced Colorectal Cancer in combination with Fluorouracil
Therapeutic procedure
folic acid
Colorectal Cancer
Used to treat Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in combination with Fluorouracil
Effectiveness
How Levoleucovorin Calcium Affects PatientsLevoleucovorin is taken up by cells and converted into 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid. This active form of folate is then changed into a form called folylpolyglutamate, which is used in certain body processes.
How Levoleucovorin Calcium works in the bodyFolic acid is an important B vitamin that helps the body produce proteins and DNA. In order to do so, it must first be turned into cofactors by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). When cancer patients take high doses of methotrexate, they are at risk of developing a deficiency in the cofactors DHF and THF. This can lead to the buildup of toxic substances, which can cause serious side effects. To avoid this, patients can take medications such as levoleucovorin and leucovorin, which are similar to THF and can replace it
When to interrupt dosage
The portion of Levoleucovorin Calcium is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, like Colorectal Carcinoma, folic acid and Therapeutic procedure. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery (e.g. Injection, solution or Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution) featured in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Colorectal Carcinoma
50.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, , 17.5 mg/mL, 300.0 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL, 175.0 mg/mL
Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, , Capsule - Oral, Injection, Oral, Injection - Intravenous, Capsule
folic acid
50.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, , 17.5 mg/mL, 300.0 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL, 175.0 mg/mL
Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, , Capsule - Oral, Injection, Oral, Injection - Intravenous, Capsule
Therapeutic procedure
50.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, , 17.5 mg/mL, 300.0 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL, 175.0 mg/mL
Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, , Capsule - Oral, Injection, Oral, Injection - Intravenous, Capsule
Colorectal Cancer
50.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, , 17.5 mg/mL, 300.0 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL, 175.0 mg/mL
Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, , Capsule - Oral, Injection, Oral, Injection - Intravenous, Capsule
Warnings
Levoleucovorin Calcium has two contraindications, thus it should not be employed when one has any of the conditions specified in the table below.Levoleucovorin Calcium ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
folic acid
Do Not Combine
folic acid
Do Not Combine
Common Levoleucovorin Calcium Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
5-fluorouridine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Levoleucovorin is combined with 5-fluorouridine.
Capecitabine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Levoleucovorin is combined with Capecitabine.
Doxifluridine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Levoleucovorin is combined with Doxifluridine.
Flucytosine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Levoleucovorin is combined with Flucytosine.
Fluorouracil
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Levoleucovorin is combined with Fluorouracil.
Levoleucovorin Calcium Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lethal dose of the drug when given intravenously to adult mice and rats has been found to be 575 mg/kg and 378 mg/kg, respectively.
Levoleucovorin Calcium Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Levoleucovorin Calcium?
51 active studies are investigating the use of Levoleucovorin Calcium to treat Colorectal Carcinoma, Therapeutic procedures and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Colorectal Carcinoma
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable
Therapeutic procedure
0 Actively Recruiting
Colorectal Cancer
45 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable
folic acid
0 Actively Recruiting
Levoleucovorin Calcium Reviews: What are patients saying about Levoleucovorin Calcium?
2Patient Review
1/15/2009Patient Q&A Section about levoleucovorin calcium
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Levoleucovorin used for?
"Levoleucovorin injection is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate in adults and children when methotrexate is used to treat osteosarcoma."
Answered by AI
What is the benefit of leucovorin calcium?
"This medication is used to treat or prevent certain blood cell disorders—such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia—that are caused by drugs such as folic acid antagonists (such as methotrexate, trimethoprim, and pyrimethamine)."
Answered by AI
Is Levoleucovorin the same as leucovorin?
"Levoleucovorin can be used in the same way as leucovorin to reduce the effects of fluorouracil."
Answered by AI
Is there calcium in leucovorin?
"There are 0.004 milliequivalents of calcium per milligram of leucovorin. The solution contains no bacteriostat or antimicrobial agents. Leucovorin Calcium for Injection is a sterile product indicated for intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) administration and is supplied in 50 milligram, 100 milligram, 200 milligram, and 350 milligram vials."
Answered by AI