VYKOURA leucovorin calcium 350 mg/35mL Injection
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Folate Analog class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Leucovorin is used to prevent harmful effects of methotrexate (a cancer chemotherapy medication) or to treat an overdose of methotrexate or similar medications. It is also used to treat people who have an inherited condition that prevents folate from reaching the brain. Leucovorin is in a class of medications called folic acid analogs. It works by protecting healthy cells from the effects of methotrexate or similar medications while allowing methotrexate to enter and kill cancer cells.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Not exactly — it depends on your situation. If you're receiving high-dose methotrexate, leucovorin's job is to protect your healthy cells from the drug's toxic effects; think of it...
- Why am I getting leucovorin injections — is it a treatment for my cancer itself?
- The most common issues — especially when leucovorin is combined with fluorouracil for colorectal cancer — are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, and fatigue. These can be mor...
- What side effects should I watch out for?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Leucovorin Calcium — tap one for details:
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 2PP9364507
A modified form of beta-cyclodextrin, a natural sugar-like molecule. It helps dissolve and stabilize drugs in liquid medicines and improves how well the body absorbs certain medications.
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UNII QTT17582CB
A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
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UNII 451W47IQ8X
Sodium chloride is common table salt. It's used in medicines as a buffer to maintain proper pH, as a filler to add bulk, or to adjust the osmotic balance in liquid formulations.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII 023C2WHX2V
Tromethamine is a chemical buffer that helps maintain the proper acidity level in liquid medicines. It neutralizes acids and stabilizes the solution so the medication remains effective and safe throughout its shelf life.
5 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per each | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs. | |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly | No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data. | |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vykoura 350 mg/35mLthis 83831-0148-35 | Avyxa | 1 vial | — | — | FDA listed | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
The FDA lists approved generic versions of this medicine, but that does not always mean a pharmacy can get one today. Patent rules, launch agreements, supply and pricing can affect when generics actually arrive.
Why the date isn’t exact: Generic timing can change because patents may be challenged, settled, licensed, added, removed, or worked around with a narrower label — and FDA approval does not always mean a pharmacy can get the generic today.
🛈 What do these terms mean?
- Patent
- Legal protection listed in the Orange Book that may delay generic approval or launch. Issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
- Substance patent
- Covers the active drug molecule itself — the hardest to design around. A generic generally can’t launch until it expires.
- Formulation (product) patent
- Covers a specific formulation or dosage form. A generic can sometimes work around it with a different formulation.
- Method-of-use patent
- A patent covering one specific approved use of the drug — not necessarily the whole molecule. A generic can sometimes launch with a “skinny label” that carves out the protected use and keeps the others.
- Skinny label
- A generic label that omits a still-patented use when the FDA allows it — letting a generic reach the market for the unprotected uses.
- Exclusivity
- FDA-granted marketing protection, separate from patents — e.g. 5-yr new chemical entity, 7-yr orphan drug, or a +6-month pediatric extension.
- Paragraph IV
- A generic applicant’s formal challenge to a listed patent. It can potentially lead to earlier generic entry, but often involves litigation or a settlement.
- RLD / RS
- Reference Listed Drug — the brand product the FDA uses as the reference for generic applications. Reference Standard — the product the FDA expects generics to compare against in bioequivalence testing.
- TE / AB rating
- FDA therapeutic-equivalence rating. An AB rating generally means the FDA considers a generic therapeutically equivalent to — and substitutable for — the brand.
- LOE (loss of exclusivity)
- The latest patent or exclusivity currently listed — the loss-of-exclusivity / latest-listed-protection date shown on this page. Paragraph-IV challenges and settlements can move the real date earlier; FDA approval and a manufacturer’s decision to market can move it later.
Built from the FDA Orange Book. The bars above are scaled to each protection’s expiry; the red LOE marker is the last one to lapse.
| Patent | Type | Use code | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 12564592 ↗ | Drug product | — | Dec 23, 2044 |
| US 12564592 ↗ | Drug product | — | Dec 23, 2044 |
| US 12564592 ↗ | Drug product | — | Dec 23, 2044 |
Is there a generic version of VYKOURA 350 MG/35 ML VIAL?
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📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83831-0148-35 You're viewing this | 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE in 1 CARTON (83831-148-35) / 35 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE | 2026-03-16 | Active |
🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage
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| NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) | ✓ Available |
| Labeler | ✓ Available |
| Product & package description | ✓ Available |
| Marketing category & status | ✓ Available |
| Active ingredient / dosage form / route | ✓ Available |
| FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) | ✓ Available |
| Package photos | ✓ Available |
| Inactive ingredients (structured) | ✓ Available |
| NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) | — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey. |
| Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data | ✓ Available |
| HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk | — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal. |
| Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) | — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold. |
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📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VYKOURA is indicated for:
1.1Rescue after high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy in adult and pediatric patients.
1.2Reducing the toxicity of: Methotrexate in adult and pediatric patients with impaired methotrexate elimination or Folic acid antagonists or dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors following an overdose in adult and pediatric patients.
1.3Treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency in adult and pediatric patients when oral therapy is not feasible.
1.4Treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with fluorouracil. Limitations of Use VYKOURA is not indicated for pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia secondary to the lack of vitamin B 12 , because of the risk of progression of neurologic manifestations despite hematologic remission. VYKOURA is a folate analog indicated for: Rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in adult and pediatric patients.
( 1.1 ) Reducing the toxicity of methotrexate in adult and pediatric patients with impaired methotrexate elimination or folic acid antagonists or dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors following an overdose in adult and pediatric patients. ( 1.2 ) Treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency in adult and pediatric patients when oral therapy is not feasible. ( 1.3 ) Treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with 5-fluorouracil.
( 1.4 ) Limitations of Use : VYKOURA is not indicated for the treatment of pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia secondary to lack of vitamin B 12 , because of the risk of progression of neurologic manifestations despite hematologic remission. ( 1.3 )
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION VYKOURA is indicated for intravenous or intramuscular administration. Do not administer intrathecally. ( 2.1 ) Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy : Rescue recommendations are based on methotrexate dose of 12 to 15 grams/m 2 administered by intravenous infusion over 4 hours.
Initiate rescue at a dose of 15 mg (approximately 10 mg/m 2 ) every 6 hours beginning 24 hours after the beginning of methotrexate infusion. ( 2.2 ) Continue until the methotrexate level is below 0.05 micromolar (5 x 10 -8 M). Adjust dose, if necessary, based on methotrexate elimination.
( 2.2 ) Reducing the Toxicity of Methotrexate in Patients with Impaired Methotrexate Elimination or Following an Overdosage of Folic Acid Antagonists or DHFR Inhibitors : Start as soon as possible after methotrexate overdosage or within 24 hours of delayed methotrexate elimination. ( 2.3 ) Administer VYKOURA 10 mg/m 2 intravenously or intramuscularly every 6 hours until methotrexate level is less than 0.01 micromolar (1 x 10 -8 M). ( 2.3 ) Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Combination with Fluorouracil : 20 mg/m 2 to 500 mg/m 2 based on specific combination regimen.
Administer VYKOURA before fluorouracil. ( 2.4 ) Do not mix VYKOURA with other drugs or administer other drugs through the same intravenous line. ( 2.4 ).
Megaloblastic Anemia Due to Folic Acid Deficiency: Up to 1 mg/day administered intravenously until adequate hematologic response is achieved.
2.1Important Administration Information VYKOURA is indicated for intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. Do not administer intrathecally. VYKOURA may be harmful or fatal if given intrathecally.
Do NOT mix VYKOURA with other drugs or administer other drugs through the same intravenous line. A precipitate may form if VYKOURA is mixed with fluorouracil. Due to the calcium content of VYKOURA, do NOT exceed the maximum infusion rate of 160 mg/minute to avoid hypercalcemia . [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
2.2Recommended Dosage for Rescue After High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy The recommended dosage for VYKOURA is based on serum methotrexate levels obtained 24 hours following the methotrexate infusion (refer to the methotrexate prescribing information). Table 1 describes the VYKOURA regimen in patients who receive a dose of 12-15 grams/m 2 of methotrexate. Consult institutional guidelines for additional dosing information as appropriate.
Begin VYKOURA twenty-four hours after starting the methotrexate infusion. As the time interval between methotrexate administration and VYKOURA increases, the effectiveness of VYKOURA to diminish methotrexate toxicity may decrease. VYKOURA may be administered intravenously or intramuscularly [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] .
Monitor serum creatinine and methotrexate levels at least once daily. Administer intravenous fluids (3 Liters per day) and alkalinize the urine to a pH of 7 or greater until the methotrexate level is below 0.05 micromolar (5 x 10 -8 M). Table 1 Recommended Dosage for VYKOURA After High-Dose Methotrexate Based on Serum Methotrexate and Serum Creatinine Levels * These patients are likely to develop reversible renal failure.
In addition to appropriate VYKOURA therapy, continue hydration and urinary alkalinization and monitor fluid and electrolyte status, until the serum methotrexate level has fallen to below 0.05 micromolar and the renal failure has resolved. Clinical Situation Laboratory Findings Recommended Dosage Normal Methotrexate Elimination Serum methotrexate level approximately 10 micromolar at 24 hours after administration, 1 micromolar at 48 hours, and less than 0.2 micromolar at 72 hours. 15 mg intravenously or intramuscularly every 6 hours for 60 hours for a total of 10 doses.
Begin VYKOURA 24 hours after the start of methotrexate infusion. Delayed Late Methotrexate Elimination Serum methotrexate level remaining above 0.2 micromolar at 72 hours, and more than 0.05 micromolar at 96 hours after administra…
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: 50 mg/5 mL (10 mg/mL), 350 mg/35 mL (10 mg/mL), and 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) of leucovorin as a clear, colorless to yellow color solution in a single-dose vial. Injection: 50 mg/5 mL, 350 mg/35 mL, and 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) in a single-dose vial. ( 3 )
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VYKOURA is contraindicated in patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to leucovorin (folinic acid), levoleucovorin, or folic acid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Reactions have included anaphylactic reactions. VYKOURA is contraindicated in patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to leucovorin (folinic acid), levoleucovorin, or folic acid. ( 4 )
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity : Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and urticaria can occur. Withhold or permanently discontinue VYKOURA based on the severity of hypersensitivity. ( 5.1 ) Hypercalcemia : Due to calcium content, inject no more than 16 mL (160 mg) of VYKOURA intravenously per minute. ( 5.2 ) Risk of Administration Errors : Do not administer VYKOURA intrathecally. ( 5.3 )
5.1Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions and urticaria, have been reported following the administration of leucovorin. VYKOURA is contraindicated in patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to leucovorin, levoleucovorin, or folic acid [see Contraindications (4) ]. Withhold or permanently discontinue VYKOURA based on the severity of hypersensitivity.
5.2Hypercalcemia Because of the calcium content of the VYKOURA, do not administer more than 160 mg of VYKOURA intravenously per minute [see Dosing and Administration (2.6) ] .
5.3Risk of Administration Errors In the treatment of accidental overdosages of intrathecally administered folic acid antagonists, do not administer VYKOURA intrathecally. VYKOURA MAY BE HARMFUL OR FATAL IF GIVEN INTRATHECALLY.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate therapy with leucovorin rescue are stomatitis and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (>50%) in patients receiving leucovorin in combination with fluorouracil for metastatic colorectal cancer are stomatitis, diarrhea, and nausea.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Avyxa Pharma, LLC at 1-888-520-0954 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Table 2 summarizes significant adverse events occurring in 316 patients treated with the leucovorin/5-fluorouracil combinations compared against 70 patients treated with 5-fluorouracil alone for advanced colorectal carcinoma.
These data are taken from the Mayo/NCCTG large multicenter prospective trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the combination regimen. Table 2: Percentage of Patients Treated with Leucovorin and Fluorouracil for Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma Reporting Adverse Experiences or Hospitalized for Toxicity High LV = Leucovorin 200 mg/m 2 , Low LV = Leucovorin 20 mg/m 2 Any = percentage of patients reporting toxicity of any severity Grade 3+ = percentage of patients reporting toxicity of Grade 3 or higher (High LV)/5-FU (N = 155) (Low LV)/5-FU (N = 161) 5-FU Alone (N = 70) Any (%) Grade 3+ (%) Any (%) Grade 3+ (%) Any (%) Grade 3+ (%) Leukopenia 69 14 83 23 93 48 Thrombocytopenia 8 2 8 1 18 3 Infection 8 1 3 1 7 2 Nausea 74 10 80 9 60 6 Vomiting 46 8 44 9 40 7 Diarrhea 66 18 67 14 43 11 Stomatitis 75 27 84 29 59 16 Constipation 3 0 4 0 1 - Lethargy/Malaise/Fatigue 13 3 12 2 6 3 Alopecia 42 5 43 6 37 7 Dermatitis 21 2 25 1 13 - Anorexia 14 1 22 4 14 - Hospitalization for Toxicity 5% 15% 7%
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1Effects of Other Drugs on VYKOURA Glucarpidase Administer VYKOURA at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the glucarpidase dose when administering concomitantly. Glucarpidase can decrease leucovorin concentrations, which may decrease the effect of leucovorin rescue.
7.2Effects of VYKOURA on Other Drugs Certain Antiepileptic Drugs Increase monitoring for seizure activity in patients taking certain concomitant antiepileptic drugs. Folic acid in high doses may reduce the effectiveness of certain antiepileptic drugs (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone) and thereby increase the frequency of seizures. It is not known whether folinic acid, including VYKOURA, has the same effects; however, both folic and folinic acids, including VYKOURA share some common metabolic pathways.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Avoid concomitant use of VYKOURA with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole . The effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole can be decreased if used concomitantly with VYKOURA which was associated with increased rates of treatment failure and mortality in patients with HIV infection who receive trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for the acute treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.
👥 Use in Specific Populations ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data on the use of leucovorin during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Adequate animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with leucovorin. Agents administered in combination with VYKOURA may cause fetal harm.
Refer to the Prescribing Information for agents administered in combination with VYKOURA for additional information, as appropriate. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
8.2Lactation Risk Summary There are no available data on the presence of leucovorin in either human or animal milk, the effect on the breastfed infant, or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for VYKOURA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from VYKOURA or from the underlying maternal condition. Refer to the Prescribing Information for agents administered in combination with VYKOURA for breastfeeding recommendations, as appropriate.
8.4Pediatric Use VYKOURA is indicated to reduce the toxicity of MTX in pediatric patients with impaired MTX elimination, and folic acid antagonists or dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors following an overdose .
8.5Geriatric Use Clinical studies of leucovorin calcium did not show differences in safety or effectiveness between subjects over 65 and younger subjects. Other clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older patients cannot be ruled out. This drug is known to be excreted by the kidney and the risk of toxic reactions to the drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection in this patient population.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data on the use of leucovorin during pregnancy have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Adequate animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with leucovorin. Agents administered in combination with VYKOURA may cause fetal harm.
Refer to the Prescribing Information for agents administered in combination with VYKOURA for additional information, as appropriate. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use VYKOURA is indicated to reduce the toxicity of MTX in pediatric patients with impaired MTX elimination, and folic acid antagonists or dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors following an overdose .
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use Clinical studies of leucovorin calcium did not show differences in safety or effectiveness between subjects over 65 and younger subjects. Other clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older patients cannot be ruled out. This drug is known to be excreted by the kidney and the risk of toxic reactions to the drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection in this patient population.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy Leucovorin is a mixture of the diastereoisomers of the 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid (THF). The biologically active compound of the mixture is the (-)- l isomer, known as Citrovorum factor or (-)-folinic acid. Leucovorin does not require reduction by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in order to participate in reactions utilizing folates as a source of "one-carbon" moieties. l -Leucovorin (l-5 formyltetrahydrofolate) is rapidly metabolized (via 5, 10-methenyltetrahydrofolate then 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate) to l -5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
L -5-methyltetrahydrofolate can in turn be metabolized via other pathways back to 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate, which is converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate by an irreversible, enzyme catalyzed reduction using the cofactors FADH 2 and NADPH. Administration of leucovorin can counteract the therapeutic and toxic effects of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate, which act by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase. Combination with Fluorouracil in Colorectal Cancer Leucovorin can enhance the therapeutic and toxic effects of fluoropyrimidines used in cancer therapy, such as 5-fluorouracil.
Concurrent administration of leucovorin does not appear to alter the plasma pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil. 5-Fluorouracil is metabolized to fluorodeoxyuridylic acid, which binds to and inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase (an enzyme important in DNA repair and replication). Leucovorin is readily converted to another reduced folate, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which acts to stabilize the binding of fluorodeoxyuridylic acid to thymidylate synthase and thereby enhances the inhibition of this enzyme.
12.2Pharmacodynamics Leucovorin exposure-response relationships and time course of pharmacodynamic response is not fully characterized.
12.3Pharmacokinetics Leucovorin pharmacokinetics were observed after a single intramuscular dose of 10 mg/m 2 in healthy subjects and are presented as mean (CV%) unless otherwise specified. Leucovorin baseline-corrected maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) is 1,832 ng/mL (14%) and the total systemic exposure (AUC) is 23,043 ng*hr/mL (15%). Absorption Leucovorin median (min, max) time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) is 1.7 hours (0.7, 4.5).
Elimination Leucovorin estimated terminal half-life is approximately 9.5 hours (CV 17%). Metabolism Leucovorin is rapidly metabolized (via 5, 10-methenyltetrahydrofolate then 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate) to l,5-methyltetrahydrofolate. l,5-Methyltetrahydrofolate can be metabolized via other pathways back to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which is converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate by an irreversible, enzyme catalyzed reduction using the cofactors FADH 2 and NADPH.
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action High-Dose Methotrexate Therapy Leucovorin is a mixture of the diastereoisomers of the 5-formyl derivative of tetrahydrofolic acid (THF). The biologically active compound of the mixture is the (-)- l isomer, known as Citrovorum factor or (-)-folinic acid. Leucovorin does not require reduction by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in order to participate in reactions utilizing folates as a source of "one-carbon" moieties. l -Leucovorin (l-5 formyltetrahydrofolate) is rapidly metabolized (via 5, 10-methenyltetrahydrofolate then 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate) to l -5-methyltetrahydrofolate.
L -5-methyltetrahydrofolate can in turn be metabolized via other pathways back to 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate, which is converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate by an irreversible, enzyme catalyzed reduction using the cofactors FADH 2 and NADPH. Administration of leucovorin can counteract the therapeutic and toxic effects of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate, which act by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase. Combination with Fluorouracil in Colorectal Cancer Leucovorin can enhance the therapeutic and toxic effects of fluoropyrimidines used in cancer therapy, such as 5-fluorouracil.
Concurrent administration of leucovorin does not appear to alter the plasma pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil. 5-Fluorouracil is metabolized to fluorodeoxyuridylic acid, which binds to and inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase (an enzyme important in DNA repair and replication). Leucovorin is readily converted to another reduced folate, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, which acts to stabilize the binding of fluorodeoxyuridylic acid to thymidylate synthase and thereby enhances the inhibition of this enzyme.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING VYKOURA (leucovorin calcium) injection is a clear, colorless to yellow color solution supplied in single-dose vial. Each carton contains one single-dose vial delivering 10 mg/mL leucovorin in the following strengths: Strength NDC Number 50 mg/5 mL (10 mg/mL) 83831-147-05 350 mg/35 mL (10 mg/mL) 83831-148-35 500 mg/50 mL (10 mg/mL) 83831-149-50 This container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. Storage and Handling Store in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in original carton to protect from light.
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION Leucovorin is a folate analog, also known as folinic acid, Citrovorum factor, or 5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid calcium salt. This compound has the chemical designation of Calcium N-(p-((((6RS)-2-amino-5-formyl 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)methyl)amino)benzoyl)-L-glutamate (1:1). The structural formula of leucovorin calcium is: Leucovorin calcium is a white to light yellow crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 20 H 21 N 7 O 7 Ca and a molecular weight of 511.50 (calculated on the anhydrous basis).
VYKOURA (leucovorin calcium), for intravenous and intramuscular use, is supplied as a sterile, preservative-free, clear, colorless to yellow solution available in 50 mg/5 mL, 350 mg/35 mL and 500 mg/50 mL single-dose vials containing 10 mg/mL of leucovorin. Each mL contains 10.803 mg leucovorin calcium (equivalent to 10 mg leucovorin), 50 mg betadex sulfobutyl ether sodium, 4 mg sodium chloride, 7 mg tromethamine, and sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid for pH adjustment (pH 6.5 to 8.5). There is 0.004 mEq of calcium per mg of leucovorin.
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💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise patients of the following risks of VYKOURA: Hypersensitivity Reactions Inform patients that hypersensitivity reactions can occur with VYKOURA including anaphylactic reactions and urticaria. Inform patients about the signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and to contact their healthcare provider immediately if these occur during or after the administration of VYKOURA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Hypercalcemia Advise patients that hypercalcemia may occur with the use of VYKOURA and to report nausea, vomiting, headache and decreased alertness during or after the administration of VYKOURA. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Drug Interactions Advise patients to inform their health care providers of all concomitant drugs, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products [see Drug Interactions (7) ]. Manufactured for: Avyxa Pharma, LLC New Jersey 07054, USA Made in Switzerland Image