Leucovorin is a medication that is normally used to treat anemia and after high doses of Methotrexate, which is a drug that can be used in chemotherapy. Understand what Methotrexate is for.
This medication is produced by the Wyeth laboratory and should be used under medical guidance.
When to take
The use of leucovorin is indicated with the objective of helping the treatment of colorectal cancer, to treat megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency, sarcoma, after high doses of Methotrexate or folic acid and to prevent toxic effects of some antibiotics.
The use of this medication should be done according to medical advice.
How to use
The method of use varies according to the reason why the doctor has indicated its use, which can be:
- In case of anemia: 1mg per day; In case of overdose of folic acid: 2 to 15mg per day; In case of colorectal cancer: 20mg / m2, together with 5-fluorouracil for 5 days.
Contraindications
This medicine is contraindicated for pregnant women and in the case of anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, also called pernicious anemia. Understand what pernicious anemia is.
Adverse effects
Leucovorin can cause mild reactions, which are more common, such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue. The most serious and less frequent adverse effects are allergy, hives and anaphylactic shock. Learn why anaphylactic shock happens and how to treat it.
