Levoleucovorin (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 15, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Fusilev
• Khapzory

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Methotrexate Rescue

Uses for levoleucovorin

Levoleucovorin injection is used as a rescue treatment after high-dose methotrexate treatment in patients with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). It is also used to lessen the toxic effects of folic acid blocker overdose or methotrexate in patients who cannot eliminate this drug properly from their bodies. Levoleucovorin injection is also used together with fluorouracil to treat metastatic (cancer that has spread) colon or rectal cancer.

Levoleucovorin is to be given by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using levoleucovorin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levoleucovorin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to levoleucovorin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levoleucovorin injection in children as rescue treatment after high-dose methotrexate treatment in osteosarcoma.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of levoleucovorin injection in children to treat metastatic colorectal cancer. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of levoleucovorin injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving levoleucovorin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using levoleucovorin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Capecitabine
• Doxifluridine
• Fluorouracil
• Fosphenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Primidone
• Tegafur

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not...