Leucovorin is a folate analog, also known as folinic acid, Citrovorum factor, or 5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid calcium salt. This compound has the chemical designation of Calcium N-(p-((((6RS)-2-amino-5-formyl 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamate (1:1). The structural formula of leucovorin calcium is: Leucovorin calcium is a white to light yellow crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 20 H 21 N 7 O 7 Ca and a molecular weight of 511.50 (calculated on the anhydrous basis). VYKOURA (leucovorin calcium), for intravenous and intramuscular use, is supplied as a sterile, preservative-free, clear, colorless to yellow solution available in 50 mg/5 mL, 350 mg/35 mL and 500 mg/50 mL single-dose vials containing 10 mg/mL of leucovorin. Each mL contains 10.803 mg leucovorin calcium (equivalent to 10 mg leucovorin), 50 mg betadex sulfobutyl ether sodium, 4 mg sodium chloride, 7 mg tromethamine, and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment (pH 6.5 to 8.5). There is 0.004 mEq of calcium per mg of leucovorin. Image

What kind of drug is leucovorin?

The FDA classifies leucovorin as a folate analog. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take leucovorin with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run leucovorin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is leucovorin sold under?

We track 3 leucovorin-containing products in the U.S.: Wellcovorin, Leucovorin Calcium and Vykoura. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does leucovorin come in?

Across the brands we track, leucovorin is currently marketed as injectable, solution, tablet and powder, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic leucovorin?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic leucovorin product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Leucovorin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Leucovorin is a folate analog sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for megaloblastic anemia, folic acid deficiency and drug-related side effects and adverse reactions. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Folate Analog
Treats: Megaloblastic Anemia, Folic Acid Deficiency and Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Available as: Injectable · Solution · Tablet · Powder
Sold as: 3 products — Wellcovorin, Leucovorin Calcium and Vykoura
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $60 for a 30-count supply

How leucovorin is dosed

From the FDA label for Vykoura (application NDA220406). Other leucovorin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

VYKOURA is indicated for intravenous or intramuscular administration. Do not administer intrathecally. ( 2.1 ) Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy : Rescue recommendations are based on methotrexate dose of 12 to 15 grams/m 2 administered by intravenous infusion over 4 hours. Initiate rescue at a dose of 15 mg (approximately 10 mg/m 2 ) every 6 hours beginning 24 hours after the beginning of methotrexate infusion. ( 2.2 ) Continue until the methotrexate level is below 0.05 micromolar (5 x 10 -8 M). Adjust dose, if necessary, based on methotrexate elimination. ( 2.2 ) Reducing the Toxicity of Methotrexate in Patients with Impaired Methotrexate Elimination or Following an Overdosage of Folic Acid Antagonists or DHFR Inhibitors : Start as soon as possible after methotrexate overdosage or within 24 hours of delayed methotrexate elimination. ( 2.3 ) Administer VYKOURA 10 mg/m 2 intravenously or intramuscularly every 6 hours until methotrexate level is less than 0.01 micromolar (1 x 10 -8 M). ( 2.3 ) Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Combination with Fluorouracil : 20 mg/m 2 to 500 mg/m 2 based on specific combination regimen. Administer VYKOURA before fluorouracil. ( 2.4 ) Do not mix VYKOURA with other drugs or administer other drugs through the same intravenous line. ( 2.4 ). Megaloblastic Anemia Due to Folic Acid Deficiency: Up to 1 mg/day…

Leucovorin side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate therapy with leucovorin rescue are stomatitis and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (>50%) in patients receiving leucovorin in combination with fluorouracil for metastatic colorectal cancer are stomatitis, diarrhea, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Avyxa Pharma, LLC at 1-888-520-0954 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Table 2 summarizes significant adverse events occurring in 316 patients treated with the leucovorin/5-fluorouracil combinations compared against 70 patients treated with 5-fluorouracil alone for advanced colorectal carcinoma. These data are taken from the Mayo/NCCTG large multicenter prospective trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the combination regimen. Table 2: Percentage of Patients Treated with…

Every leucovorin product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Leucovorin products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Wellcovorin	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$60	View →
2	Leucovorin Calcium	Not yet rated	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$60

What leucovorin pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Leucovorin pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
b;484	5 mg	white	round	—
b;485	25 mg	green	round	—
ING;181	5 mg	white	round	—
ING;182	10 mg	white	round	—
ING;183	15 mg	yellow	round	—
ING;184	25 mg	yellow

Frequently asked questions

What is leucovorin?: Leucovorin is a folate analog, also known as folinic acid, Citrovorum factor, or 5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid calcium salt. This compound has the chemical designation of Calcium N-(p-((((6RS)-2-amino-5-formyl 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamate (1:1). The structural formula of leucovorin calcium is: Leucovorin calcium is a white to light yellow crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 20 H 21 N 7 O 7 Ca and a molecular weight of 511.50 (calculated on the anhydrous basis). VYKOURA (leucovorin calcium), for intravenous and intramuscular use, is supplied as a sterile, preservative-free, clear, colorless to yellow solution available in 50 mg/5 mL, 350 mg/35 mL and 500 mg/50 mL single-dose vials containing 10 mg/mL of leucovorin. Each mL contains 10.803 mg leucovorin calcium (equivalent to 10 mg leucovorin), 50 mg betadex sulfobutyl ether sodium, 4 mg sodium chloride, 7 mg tromethamine, and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment (pH 6.5 to 8.5). There is 0.004 mEq of calcium per mg of leucovorin. Image
What kind of drug is leucovorin?: The FDA classifies leucovorin as a folate analog. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take leucovorin with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run leucovorin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is leucovorin sold under?: We track 3 leucovorin-containing products in the U.S.: Wellcovorin, Leucovorin Calcium and Vykoura. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does leucovorin come in?: Across the brands we track, leucovorin is currently marketed as injectable, solution, tablet and powder, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.