Category: Chemotherapy

Other Names: Folinic acid

Leucovorin calcium can do two things. First, it helps drugs such as 5-fluorouracil work better than the 5-fluorouracil can alone (potentiates). This makes the 5-fluorouracil kill cancer cells more effectively. Second, it can rescue normal cells from the action of methotrexate. This allows cells lining the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, and the cells in the bone marrow to be less affected by the methotrexate. It is an antidote when used this way, and MUST be taken exactly as directed. Otherwise, the body will have severe side effects from the methotrexate.

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