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How is leucovorin administered?

by Donna Myers
for About.com

Updated: June 25, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: How is leucovorin administered?
Answer: As a colon cancer treatment, leucovorin can be injected into a vein or hooked up to an I.V. Leucovorin is only available by prescription and is generally administered by medical professionals in a healthcare setting.

For patients receiving intravenous injection of leucovorin, the treatment usually involves five consecutive days of the following: a dose of leucovorin injected into the vein followed by a dose of 5-fluorouracil injected into the vein. This course of treatment may be repeated at 28-day intervals depending on how well the patient is tolerating the treatment.

Usually, the amount of fluourouracil given in subsequent treatments is adjusted based on the side effects a patient experiences during the first course of treatment. When patients experience severe symptoms, the fluorouracil dose should be reduced by 30%. When patients experience moderate symptoms, the fluorouracil dose should be reduced by 20%. If a patient tolerates the treatment well, the fluorouracil dose can be increased by 10%.

Related Questions: Related Articles: Sources:
1. Bedford Laboratories. Leucovorin product insert.
2. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Oncology Tools - Leucovorin Product Label.
3. Cleveland Clinic. What You Need to Know About Leucovorin.
4. Drug Digest. Leucovorin Insert.
5. Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre. Medication Information Sheet: Leucovorin Injection.
6. HealthTouch Online. Leucovorin Injection.
7. Medline Plus. Leucovorin (Systemic).
8. Rx Med. Leucovorin Calcium Injection.
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