Evidence-based·Last reviewed June 1, 2026·How we grade evidence

Leucovorin

VitaminFolateBest with a meal

A prescription reduced-folate (calcium salt of 5-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, also called folinic acid) given in oncology and toxicology — not a routine supplement. Its three pillar uses are methotrexate rescue, augmenting 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer, and treating cerebral folate deficiency or antifolate overdose. The general 'folate' facts belong on the vitamin B9 and folinic acid pages; this page is about the clinical drug.

Prescription medication — not a dietary supplement

This is an FDA-approved (or investigational) drug, not a supplement. It requires a prescription and medical supervision. The information below summarizes clinical-trial evidence for education only — it is not a recommendation to obtain or use it without a doctor.

Quick decision guide

May help most

Patients receiving high-dose methotrexate, 5-FU chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, treatment for cerebral folate deficiency or folate receptor autoantibody syndromes, and antifolate (methotrexate, trimetrexate, pyrimethamine) overdose.

Common dosing range

Dose is indication-specific and clinician-directed. Typical MTX rescue: 15 mg orally or IV every 6 h starting 24 h after MTX infusion, dose-titrated to plasma MTX. 5-FU regimens (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, mFOLFOX6) use 200–400 mg/m² IV per cycle. Cerebral folate deficiency: 0.5–3 mg/kg/day.

When to expect effects

Hours for rescue and antidote use; weeks for cerebral folate deficiency symptom response.

Watch out for

This is a prescription medication. Do NOT self-administer to 'augment' folate, prevent methotrexate side effects in rheumatology dosing (where folic acid is the standard adjunct), or treat cancer outside an oncologist's protocol. Wrong timing of rescue can negate methotrexate's cancer effect.

Evidence snapshot

Methotrexate rescue (oncology)Standard of care

5-FU augmentation (colorectal cancer)Standard of care

Cerebral folate deficiencyModerate

Autism with folate-receptor autoantibodiesEmerging

What is it

Leucovorin (folinic acid, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) is a reduced, biologically active form of folate available as a prescription pharmaceutical. Unlike folic acid, it does not require reduction by dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) to become metabolically active, which is the basis for its use as a rescue agent after methotrexate and as a biomodulator of fluorouracil chemotherapy. It is a synthetic drug, not a dietary supplement.

Is it worth it for you?

Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.

Worth considering if…

Your oncologist has prescribed it as part of a high-dose methotrexate or 5-FU regimen — it is standard of care

Your neurologist has diagnosed cerebral folate deficiency (low CSF 5-MTHF) — folinic acid is the form that crosses the blood-brain barrier

Your child has a folate receptor-α autoantibody syndrome and a specialist has recommended a trial

You're being treated for antifolate overdose (methotrexate, trimetrexate, pyrimethamine) in an emergency setting

Probably skip if…

You're taking low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis — the standard adjunct is folic acid 1–5 mg/day, not leucovorin (which can blunt MTX's anti-inflammatory effect at the same dose)

You want a 'better folate' for daily wellness — folic acid or food folate is the answer; leucovorin is not a consumer supplement

You're trying to self-treat depression, MTHFR variants, or pregnancy — see the L-methylfolate or folic acid pages

Your clinician has not specifically prescribed it — this drug requires medical supervision and timing precision

Evidence at a glance

Goal	Effect	Best fit	Time
Methotrexate rescue after high-dose chemotherapy Strong Evidence	Without rescue, high-dose MTX is fatal in a meaningful fraction of patients; with appropriate leucovorin rescue, fatal MTX toxicity is rare in modern oncology practice	Patients on HDMTX (≥500 mg/m²) for osteosarcoma, ALL, CNS lymphoma, or primary CNS lymphoma protocols	Hours (toxicity prevention is dose-by-dose)
5-Fluorouracil augmentation in colorectal cancer Strong Evidence	Roughly doubles to triples the response rate in advanced colorectal cancer vs 5-FU monotherapy	Adults receiving FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or related fluoropyrimidine regimens for colorectal cancer	Measured over chemotherapy cycles; objective response typically assessed every 8–12 weeks
Cerebral folate deficiency Good Evidence	Symptomatic improvement in motor function, irritability, and seizures in case series of CFD patients within weeks to months	Children and adults with CSF-confirmed cerebral folate deficiency or FRα autoantibody syndromes, diagnosed by a neurologist	Weeks to months for symptom improvement
Antifolate overdose and methanol toxicity Good Evidence	Reduces antifolate toxicity by bypassing the drug-induced DHFR block; for methanol, accelerates formate clearance	Patients with documented antifolate overdose or methanol/formate poisoning in an emergency setting	Hours (acute antidote)
Autism with folate receptor autoantibodies Limited Evidence	Improvement in verbal communication on Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF); effect larger in FRα autoantibody-positive subgroup	Children with non-syndromic ASD and folate receptor-α autoantibodies, under specialist care	≥12 weeks in the published trial

Methotrexate rescue after high-dose chemotherapy

Strong Evidence

Effect: Without rescue, high-dose MTX is fatal in a meaningful fraction of patients; with appropriate leucovorin rescue, fatal MTX toxicity is rare in modern oncology practice
Best fit: Patients on HDMTX (≥500 mg/m²) for osteosarcoma, ALL, CNS lymphoma, or primary CNS lymphoma protocols
Time: Hours (toxicity prevention is dose-by-dose)

5-Fluorouracil augmentation in colorectal cancer

Strong Evidence

Effect: Roughly doubles to triples the response rate in advanced colorectal cancer vs 5-FU monotherapy
Best fit: Adults receiving FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or related fluoropyrimidine regimens for colorectal cancer
Time: Measured over chemotherapy cycles; objective response typically assessed every 8–12 weeks

Cerebral folate deficiency

Good Evidence

Effect: Symptomatic improvement in motor function, irritability, and seizures in case series of CFD patients within weeks to months
Best fit: Children and adults with CSF-confirmed cerebral folate deficiency or FRα autoantibody syndromes, diagnosed by a neurologist
Time: Weeks to months for symptom improvement

Antifolate overdose and methanol toxicity

Good Evidence

Effect: Reduces antifolate toxicity by bypassing the drug-induced DHFR block; for methanol, accelerates formate clearance
Best fit: Patients with documented antifolate overdose or methanol/formate poisoning in an emergency setting
Time: Hours (acute antidote)

Autism with folate receptor autoantibodies

Limited Evidence

Effect: Improvement in verbal communication on Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF); effect larger in FRα autoantibody-positive subgroup
Best fit: Children with non-syndromic ASD and folate receptor-α autoantibodies, under specialist care
Time: ≥12 weeks in the published trial

Evidence for 5 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Methotrexate rescue after high-dose chemotherapy

Strong Evidence

Leucovorin rescue is the standard of care for high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) regimens in osteosarcoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphomas, and CNS lymphomas. Started 24 h after MTX infusion and dose-titrated to plasma MTX concentration (typical 15 mg PO or IV every 6 h, escalated for elevated MTX levels), leucovorin bypasses the dihydrofolate reductase blockade and restores normal folate metabolism in healthy cells — preventing severe mucositis, myelosuppression, and acute kidney injury. Timing matters: started too early or omitted, it negates MTX's anti-tumor effect; started too late, it fails to prevent toxicity.

Effect size

Without rescue, high-dose MTX is fatal in a meaningful fraction of patients; with appropriate leucovorin rescue, fatal MTX toxicity is rare in modern oncology practice

Time to effect

Hours (toxicity prevention is dose-by-dose)

Best fit

Patients on HDMTX (≥500 mg/m²) for osteosarcoma, ALL, CNS lymphoma, or primary CNS lymphoma protocols

Less likely

Patients on low-dose weekly MTX for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis — the standard adjunct is folic acid 1–5 mg/day, not leucovorin

Bottom line: Standard of care, not optional. Dose is titrated to plasma MTX concentration — this is hospital-pharmacy territory.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA Howard et al., 2016 — Preventing and Managing Toxicities of High-Dose Methotrexate — PMC — The Oncologist

5-Fluorouracil augmentation in colorectal cancer

Strong Evidence

Leucovorin (or its L-isomer levoleucovorin) is added to 5-FU regimens (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, mFOLFOX6, deGramont) to stabilize the ternary complex between the 5-FU metabolite FdUMP and thymidylate synthase, amplifying 5-FU's anti-tumor effect. Petrelli et al. 1989 (PMID 2685027) was the landmark trial showing 5-FU+LV roughly tripled the response rate in advanced colorectal cancer vs 5-FU alone (30–43% vs 12%). Modern adjuvant and metastatic protocols universally include leucovorin alongside 5-FU.

Effect size

Roughly doubles to triples the response rate in advanced colorectal cancer vs 5-FU monotherapy

Time to effect

Measured over chemotherapy cycles; objective response typically assessed every 8–12 weeks

Best fit

Adults receiving FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or related fluoropyrimidine regimens for colorectal cancer

Less likely

Patients on capecitabine (oral 5-FU prodrug) — most protocols do not add leucovorin

Bottom line: An integral part of fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy regimens for colorectal cancer — not a stand-alone treatment.

SourcePetrelli et al., 1989 — PubMed — J Clin Oncol FDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

Cerebral folate deficiency

Good Evidence

Cerebral folate deficiency (CFD) is defined as low CSF 5-MTHF with normal serum folate, typically caused by folate receptor-α (FRα) autoantibodies blocking folate transport across the blood-brain barrier. Folinic acid (leucovorin) at 0.5–3 mg/kg/day partly bypasses this transport defect and can improve motor symptoms, seizures, and irritability in CFD. Folic acid does NOT work in CFD because it cannot enter the CNS through the blocked receptor. Case-series evidence is consistent; controlled trials are limited because CFD is rare and severe.

Effect size

Symptomatic improvement in motor function, irritability, and seizures in case series of CFD patients within weeks to months

Time to effect

Weeks to months for symptom improvement

Best fit

Children and adults with CSF-confirmed cerebral folate deficiency or FRα autoantibody syndromes, diagnosed by a neurologist

Less likely

Generic 'brain fog' or fatigue without CSF folate testing — these are not CFD

Bottom line: Specialist-directed therapy for a specific neurometabolic diagnosis. Don't self-treat suspected CFD without LP-confirmed CSF 5-MTHF.

SourceHyland et al., 2010 / Ramaekers reviews — Cerebral folate deficiency — PubMed — Dev Med Child Neurol

Antifolate overdose and methanol toxicity

Good Evidence

Leucovorin is the antidote for inadvertent overdose of folate-antagonist drugs (high-dose methotrexate, trimetrexate, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides at high dose). It also accelerates the conversion of formate (the toxic metabolite of methanol) to CO2 and water and is recommended by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology methanol guideline at 1 mg/kg IV (max 50 mg) every 4–6 h as adjunctive therapy alongside fomepizole or ethanol and hemodialysis. These uses are emergency-medicine territory.

Effect size

Reduces antifolate toxicity by bypassing the drug-induced DHFR block; for methanol, accelerates formate clearance

Time to effect

Hours (acute antidote)

Best fit

Patients with documented antifolate overdose or methanol/formate poisoning in an emergency setting

Less likely

Routine use — these indications are dose-by-dose decisions made by toxicology or oncology

Bottom line: Hospital-administered antidote, not self-care. Inclusion here is for completeness; if relevant, you're already in the ED.

SourceBarceloux et al., 2002 — AACT Methanol Practice Guidelines — PubMed — J Toxicol Clin Toxicol FDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

Autism with folate receptor autoantibodies

Disease adjunct

Limited Evidence

Frye et al. 2018 (PMID 27752075) randomized 48 children with non-syndromic autism spectrum disorder and language impairment to high-dose folinic acid (2 mg/kg/day up to 50 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Verbal communication improved vs placebo, with a larger effect in folate receptor autoantibody-positive children (Cohen's d ≈ 0.91 vs 0.36 in antibody-negative). The trial is small and the population narrowly defined; replication is needed before this becomes standard practice, but the biological mechanism (folate transport into CNS in autoantibody-positive children) is plausible.

Effect size

Improvement in verbal communication on Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF); effect larger in FRα autoantibody-positive subgroup

Time to effect

≥12 weeks in the published trial

Best fit

Children with non-syndromic ASD and folate receptor-α autoantibodies, under specialist care

Less likely

Children with ASD without antibody testing — current evidence is for a specific antibody-positive subgroup

Bottom line: Promising single RCT in a narrow subgroup. Talk to a developmental pediatrician about antibody testing before deciding — this isn't a general ASD treatment.

Evidence is mixed

Single RCT with 48 patients; needs independent replication. The Trump administration's 2025 push to promote leucovorin as an autism treatment (announced September 2025) went beyond what the evidence supports — only the FRα antibody-positive subgroup showed a large effect.

SourceFrye et al., 2018 — Folinic acid in autism with folate receptor-α autoantibodies — PubMed — Mol Psychiatry· conflicting

SourceFrye et al., 2018 — Folinic acid in autism with folate receptor-α autoantibodies — PubMed — Mol Psychiatry

How it works

Leucovorin contains a mixture of plant compounds, and the exact mechanism behind any effects depends on the specific preparation, the part of the plant used, and how it is extracted. Concentrations of active constituents can vary substantially between products. Most botanical effects are studied as a whole-plant or extract effect rather than tied to a single isolated molecule. Without strong human trial data, claims about how Leucovorin works should be treated cautiously.

How to take it

1. Typical dose

• Methotrexate rescue: typically 15 mg PO or IV every 6 h starting 24 h post-MTX, dose-escalated based on plasma MTX (per protocol) • 5-FU augmentation (colorectal cancer): 200–400 mg/m² IV bolus or infusion per cycle, regimen-specific • Cerebral folate deficiency: 0.5–3 mg/kg/day divided, neurologist-titrated • Antifolate / methanol overdose: 50–100 mg IV every 3–6 h until offending drug is cleared • Do NOT use leucovorin to treat low-dose-MTX rheumatology patients — folic acid 1–5 mg/day is the standard adjunct there

2. Higher studied dose

Doses up to 1,000 mg/m² have been used in salvage rescue when MTX clearance is delayed. Dosing is plasma-MTX-driven, not weight-driven, at high MTX levels. This is pharmacist-and-oncologist territory.

3. Timing

Indication-specific. For MTX rescue, the 24-h post-infusion timing is critical — earlier rescue can blunt the chemo effect. For 5-FU regimens, leucovorin is typically infused before or alongside 5-FU per protocol. Oral bioavailability saturates around 25–50 mg; doses above that are given IV.

4. With food

Oral leucovorin tablets can be taken with or without food.

5. Split dosing

MTX rescue is split into every-6-hour doses by protocol. 5-FU regimens follow the schedule (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, etc.) without daily splitting.

6. How long to try

Until the clinical indication resolves — MTX rescue until plasma MTX is below 0.05–0.1 μmol/L; cancer therapy across the planned cycle count; CFD long-term under neurology follow-up.

What to track

Plasma methotrexate level (for HDMTX rescue) — dosing is titrated to this number

Complete blood count and serum creatinine during MTX cycles

Mucositis, diarrhea, and oral discomfort during 5-FU cycles

Neurological symptoms (motor function, seizures, language) for CFD or FRα autoantibody patients

Bottom line: Leucovorin dosing is a clinical decision, not a consumer one. If your oncologist, neurologist, or toxicologist prescribed it, follow their schedule exactly — the timing is what makes it work.

5 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Leucovorin calcium (racemic, oral tablet)

Most-prescribed form

The standard prescription tablet (5, 10, 15, 25 mg). Used for MTX rescue and as adjunct in 5-FU regimens. Oral bioavailability saturates around 25–50 mg per dose; higher doses are given IV.

Well absorbed at ≤25 mg per oral dose; saturates above.

Leucovorin calcium (IV/IM injection)

Hospital use

Injectable form used in oncology infusions (5-FU regimens) and for high-dose MTX rescue when oral dosing isn't feasible. Comes in lyophilized vials reconstituted at the pharmacy.

100% bioavailable; doses above 25 mg routinely given IV.

Levoleucovorin (L-isomer only)

Half-dose alternative

The pharmacologically active L-isomer of leucovorin (brand Fusilev historically; now generic). Equivalent clinical effect at half the mg dose of racemic calcium leucovorin (e.g., 100 mg levoleucovorin ≈ 200 mg leucovorin). Often substituted in modern oncology protocols.

All-active L-isomer; dose is half the racemic equivalent.

Calcium folinate (sibling page)

Same molecule, supplement context

Calcium folinate is chemically the same as leucovorin calcium — the difference is regulatory/marketing context. Calcium folinate sold as a supplement is generally not pharmaceutical grade and is not appropriate for the Rx indications above. See the calcium folinate or folinic acid pages for non-Rx framing.

Same molecule, different distribution channel.

Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid)

What most people actually need

Standard synthetic folate used for general supplementation, NTD prevention in pregnancy, and as the standard adjunct for low-dose methotrexate in rheumatology. Cheap, well-studied, and the correct choice for almost every non-Rx folate use case.

≥85% bioavailable; cents per dose.

Safety

Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.

Common side effects

nausea or mild GI upset (oral)rash or pruritusfatigue (in cancer-regimen context — often from co-administered chemo)injection-site reactions (IV/IM)

Serious risks

Anaphylaxis and serious allergic reactions have been reported with parenteral leucovorin; cross-reactivity with other folates is possible. Monitor in clinical settings.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA
Severe diarrhea and dehydration when combined with 5-FU — the combination increases mucosal toxicity. Dose modification or rehydration is sometimes required.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA
Masking vitamin B12 deficiency — like all high-dose folates, leucovorin can correct the anemia of B12 deficiency while neurological damage progresses. Check B12 BEFORE long-term high-dose folinic acid for CFD or FRα syndromes.
SourceNIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Folate (Health Professional) — NIH ODS
Leucovorin given concomitantly with low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis can reduce MTX's therapeutic effect on the underlying disease. The standard adjunct for low-dose MTX is folic acid 1–5 mg/day, not leucovorin.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

Who should avoid it

Patients with pernicious anemia or other vitamin B12 deficiency states until B12 has been replaced — folate alone can mask B12 deficiency.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA
Anyone with a documented hypersensitivity to leucovorin, folinic acid, or other folate compounds.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA
Outside its specific indications — leucovorin is a prescription medication; self-administration outside an oncology, neurology, or toxicology protocol is not appropriate.
SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy Category C historically (now under the FDA Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule). Leucovorin is used in pregnant patients receiving methotrexate rescue when the cancer indication requires it; the chemotherapy itself is the dominant risk. There is no role for leucovorin as a routine prenatal — folic acid 400–800 mcg/day is the standard for NTD prevention in pregnancy. Discuss with your obstetrician and oncologist if a clinical indication applies.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Folate (Health Professional) — NIH ODS

Bottom line: Safe and well-tolerated in its prescribed clinical uses. Risk lives in misuse: pairing it with low-dose MTX for autoimmune disease, masking B12 deficiency, or self-administration outside a clinical protocol.

Interactions

low-dose methotrexate (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, IBD)Major

Leucovorin can blunt MTX's therapeutic effect in autoimmune disease at the same dose. The standard adjunct for low-dose MTX is folic acid 1–5 mg/day. Use leucovorin only if your rheumatologist or dermatologist specifically prescribes it for severe MTX intolerance (e.g., 5 mg leucovorin 12 h after the weekly MTX dose).

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

trimetrexate (antineoplastic)Major

Leucovorin is required as part of the trimetrexate regimen to prevent fatal myelosuppression — it is not optional. Co-administration is built into the protocol.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

5-fluorouracilModerate

Leucovorin amplifies 5-FU's anti-tumor effect (intended) AND its mucosal toxicity (unintended). Increased diarrhea, stomatitis, and bone-marrow suppression are expected; dose modifications follow standard oncology protocols.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone (older anticonvulsants)Moderate

Folate of any form, including leucovorin, can reduce serum levels of these anticonvulsants and lead to breakthrough seizures. If CFD or FRα treatment is needed in an epilepsy patient, monitor anticonvulsant levels.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

trimethoprim, pyrimethamine, sulfonamides (antifolate antimicrobials)Moderate

Leucovorin can reduce the antimicrobial efficacy of these drugs by reversing their intended folate antagonism. Used intentionally as rescue for high-dose pyrimethamine in toxoplasmosis treatment, but inappropriate elsewhere.

SourceFDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA

Choosing a product

What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.

Look for…

Prescription-only — purchased through a pharmacy on a clinician's order, not over the counter

Calcium leucovorin (racemic) or levoleucovorin (L-isomer only) — both are clinically used; levoleucovorin uses ~half the mg dose for equivalent effect

Tablet (5, 10, 15, 25 mg) for oral protocols; IV vial for hospital regimens

Labeled with brand or generic 'leucovorin calcium' or 'folinic acid' — verify the salt and strength matches your prescription

USP-grade pharmaceutical product from a licensed manufacturer; do not source from non-pharmacy supplement vendors

Be skeptical of…

Online 'leucovorin' sold without a prescription as a folate supplement — folic acid or food folate is the correct consumer choice, not leucovorin

Claims that leucovorin 'cures autism' — the 2018 Frye trial showed effect in a specific FRα antibody-positive subgroup, not in general ASD

Marketing as a 'methylation support' or 'detox' ingredient — these are folic acid / 5-MTHF / folinic-acid sibling territory, not the Rx oncology drug

Compounded high-dose folinic acid for chronic non-prescribed use — quality is unverified and the dose can interact with multiple medications

Frequently asked questions

What is Leucovorin used for?⌄

Leucovorin is used traditionally for various supportive purposes. Human evidence for specific health claims is generally limited, so it is best treated as a complementary option rather than a treatment.

Is Leucovorin safe?⌄

Leucovorin is generally well tolerated at typical doses, but quality varies between products. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, or managing a medical condition should check with a healthcare provider first.

How long does it take to work?⌄

Effects of botanical supplements often take several weeks of consistent use, if they appear at all. Reassess after 8-12 weeks of regular use.

References by claim

Methotrexate rescue after high-dose chemotherapy

FDA Leucovorin Calcium Prescribing Information — DailyMed / FDA (2024) link

Howard et al., 2016 — Preventing and Managing Toxicities of High-Dose Methotrexate — PMC — The Oncologist (2016) link

5-Fluorouracil augmentation in colorectal cancer

Petrelli et al., 1989 — PubMed — J Clin Oncol (1989) link

Autism with folate receptor autoantibodies

Frye et al., 2018 — Folinic acid in autism with folate receptor-α autoantibodies — PubMed — Mol Psychiatry (2018) link

Cerebral folate deficiency

Hyland et al., 2010 / Ramaekers reviews — Cerebral folate deficiency — PubMed — Dev Med Child Neurol (2010) link

Antifolate overdose and methanol toxicity

Barceloux et al., 2002 — AACT Methanol Practice Guidelines — PubMed — J Toxicol Clin Toxicol (2002) link

Safety

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Folate (Health Professional) — NIH ODS (2024) link

Other references

Leucovorin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Folinic acid (ChEBI:62462) — ChEBI link

Track Leucovorin with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store

Evidence-based·Last reviewed Jun 1, 2026·Evidence current as of Jun 1, 2026·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: This page summarizes published clinical-trial data for educational purposes and is not medical advice or a recommendation to use this prescription medication. Dosing, eligibility, and monitoring must be decided by a licensed prescriber.