Monograph Details
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Neoplasms
> Miscellaneous oncology agents
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Leucovorin |
| Manufacturer |
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Teva Pharmaceuticals |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Folic acid derivative. |
| Generic Name |
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Leucovorin calcium 100mg/vial, 350mg/vial; lyophilized pwd for IV or IM inj after reconstitution; preservative-free. |
| Indications |
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Palliative treatment of advanced colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil. |
| Children |
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See literature. |
| Adults |
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Max IV infusion rate: 160mg/min. 200mg/m2 by slow IV inj over a minimum of 3 minutes, followed by 5-fluorouracil (370mg/m2); or 20mg/m2 IV followed by 5-fluorouracil (425mg/m2); both regimens: daily for 5 days, may be repeated at 4-week intervals for 2 courses and then repeated at 4–5 week intervals (if completely recovered from toxic effects of previous course). |
| Contraindications |
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Pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias due to Vit. B12 deficiency. |
| Precautions |
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Do not administer intrathecally. CNS metastases. Monitor CBCs with differential, platelets, electrolytes, liver function tests prior to each treatment, then periodically. Elderly. Debilitated. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers. |
| Interactions |
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Potentiates toxicity of 5-fluorouracil; use lower 5-fluorouracil dose. May antagonize phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone. Caution with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, infection, GI upset, stomatitis, constipation, lethargy, malaise, fatigue, alopecia, dermatitis, anorexia; seizures, syncope. |
| How Supplied |
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Single-use vials—1 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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