Vitamin
leucovorin calcium
[ loo-koh-vor-in kal-see-um ]
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 calcium:
-
A drug used to lessen the toxic effects of substances that block the action of folic acid, especially the anticancer drug methotrexate. Leucovorin calcium 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. Leucovorin calcium 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
-
An active metabolite of folic acid (also called folinic acid and citrovorum factor), which does not require metabolism by dihydrofolate reductase, the molecular target of folate antagonist-type chemotherapeutic drugs. Leucovorin calcium counteracts the toxic effects of these medications, 'rescuing' the patient while permitting the antitumor activity of the folate antagonist. This agent also potentiates the effects of fluorouracil and its derivatives by stabilizing the binding of the drug's metabolite to its target enzyme, thus prolonging drug activity. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> L
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.