Pharmacologic Substance
levoleucovorin calcium
[ lee-voh-loo-koh-vor-in kal-see-um ]
May Treat:
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
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Definitions related to levoleucovorin calcium:
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(calcium levoleucovorin) A drug used to lessen the toxic effects of substances that block the action of folic acid, especially the anticancer drug methotrexate. Calcium levoleucovorin 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. Calcium levoleucovorin 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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A levo isoform of leucovorin calcium with antineoplastic activity. Levoleucovorin is an active metabolite of folic acid, which does not require metabolism by dihydrofolate reductase. This agent counteracts the toxic effects of other folic acid derivative agents, 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.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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