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Leucovorin calcium

Antrex, Cafoline, Calcium Folinate Dbl, Calcium Folinate-Kocak · ATC code V03AF03

Also known as: Calciumfolinat, Kalsiyum folinat · Brand names: Antrex, Cafoline, Calcium Folinate Dbl, Calcium Folinate-Kocak, Calcium Folinate-Koçak, Folca, Folmind, Kalsifosin, Leucovorin-Teva, Vykoura

Key facts
Active substance
Leucovorin calcium
ATC code
V03AF03
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Leucovorin calcium (calcium folinate) is a reduced folate. Per the US prescribing information, the tablets are used to diminish the toxicity of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdoses of folic acid antagonists.

What it is used for

  • To diminish toxicity and counteract the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination
  • Inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists

Dosing

  • Because absorption is saturable, oral doses greater than 25 mg are not recommended; higher doses must be given parenterally
  • Methotrexate overdose or delayed elimination: start as soon as possible, within 24 hours of methotrexate; 15 mg (10 mg/m²) every 6 hours until the serum methotrexate level falls below the target – see the full text
  • Serum creatinine and methotrexate levels at 24-hour intervals; if these indicate delayed elimination, the dose is increased to 150 mg (100 mg/m²) IV every 3 hours
  • Hydration (3 L/d) and urinary alkalinization (urine pH 7 or greater) should accompany treatment
  • With gastrointestinal toxicity, nausea or vomiting, give parenterally
  • For folic acid antagonists such as trimethoprim or pyrimethamine, 5 to 15 mg per day has been recommended

Contraindications

  • Pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias due to vitamin B12 deficiency (neurologic damage may progress despite hematologic remission)

Important warnings

  • Give as promptly as possible; effectiveness decreases as the interval after the antifolate increases
  • Monitoring of serum methotrexate is essential to set dose and duration
  • Delayed methotrexate excretion (third-space fluid, renal insufficiency, inadequate hydration) may need higher or longer dosing
  • May enhance the toxicity of fluorouracil; deaths from severe enterocolitis, diarrhea and dehydration in elderly patients
  • With trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV, increased treatment failure and mortality

Side effects

  • Allergic sensitization, including anaphylactoid reactions and urticaria

Interactions

  • Fluorouracil: increased toxicity
  • Large amounts of folic acid may counteract the antiepileptic effect of phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in HIV-associated Pneumocystis pneumonia: increased treatment failure

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • It is not known whether leucovorin can harm the fetus; use only if clearly needed
  • Caution in nursing mothers

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Turkey

  • AntrexATAFARM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry
  • CafolineHAVER TRAKYA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • Calcium Folinate DblORNA İLAÇ TEKSTİL KİMYEVİ MAD. SAN. VE DIŞ TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 4 register entries
  • Calcium Folinate-KocakKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • Calcium Folinate-KoçakKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • FolcaATABAY KİMYA SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • FolmindKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • KalsifosinVEM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • Leucovorin-TevaTEVA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

USA

  • VykouraAvyxa Pharma, LLC · 1 register entry

Source: U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), as of 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Leucovorin Calcium (Epic Pharma LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2023-11-08. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=2627a485-05b5-4dab-ac20-dc840e5c469d
  2. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  3. U.S. FDA – Drug labels (openFDA/DailyMed), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.