Leucovorin, Oral/Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth or given by injection to treat certain types of anemia and to lessen side effects of certain medicines. It may be used along with other medicines to treat colon cancer. Use it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidote

Generic and brand names: leucovorin, injection; leucovorin, oral; Leucovorin Calcium Injection; Leucovorin Calcium Tablets

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an active form of folic acid. It is used to treat certain types of anemia and to lessen side effects of certain medicines. It may be used along with other medicines to treat colon cancer.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12
• Kidney disease
• Seizures (epilepsy)

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine may be taken as a tablet or given by injection (shot). If you are taking the tablets, be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not take more or less or take the medicine longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you are having shots, keep all your appointments.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 1 month.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of this medicine or vomit shortly after taking a dose, check with your healthcare provider right away.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

While taking this medicine, do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

Adults over age 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Unusual bruising or bleeding; sores or white patches in your mouth or throat; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; seizures.

Other: Minor itching or rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Alcohol
• Antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and primidone (Mysoline)
• Capecitabine (Xeloda)
• Fluorouracil (Adrucil, Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex)
• Glucarpidase (Voraxaze)
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra) or trimethoprim (Primsol)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the tablets at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.