Vitamin
leucovorin
Effect:
Cellular Activity Alteration
May Prevent:
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Folic Acid Deficiency
May Treat:
Anemia, Megaloblastic;
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions;
Folic Acid Deficiency
More Information:
Definitions related to leucovorin:
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A derivative of folic acid with chemoprotectant, antidote and synergistic activity. Leucovorin does not require metabolism by dihydrofolate reductase, the molecular target of folate antagonist-type chemotherapeutic drugs, and is converted to a tetrahydrofolate, which is the necessary folate for purine and pyrimidine synthesis. As this agent allows for some purine/pyrimidine synthesis to occur, the toxic effects of folic acid antagonist-type chemotherapeutic drugs are counteracted while still permitting the antitumor activity of the folic acid antagonist through dihydrofolate reductase inhibition. This agent also potentiates the effects of 5-fluorouracil and its derivatives by stabilizing the binding of 5-fluorouracil's converted form fluorodeoxyuridylic acid to its target enzyme thymidylate synthase, thus prolonging drug activity.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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The active ingredient in a drug used to lessen the toxic effects of substances that block the action of folic acid, especially the anticancer drug methotrexate. Folinic acid is used to treat some types of anemia and is also used with fluorouracil to treat colorectal cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer and other conditions. Folinic acid is a form of folic acid. It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of chemosensitizing agent.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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The active metabolite of FOLIC ACID. Leucovorin is used principally as an antidote to FOLIC ACID ANTAGONISTS.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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USP lists as an antidote to folate antagonists and an agent for treatment of folate deficiency anemias.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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