Folinic acid

Folinic acid
Clinical data
Pronunciation	Leucovorin /ˌljuːkoʊˈvɔːrɪn/
Trade names	Many
Other names	citrovorum factor, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a608038
License data	US DailyMed: Leucovorin calcium;
Pregnancy; category	AU: A;
Routes of; administration	Intravenous, IM, by mouth
ATC code	V03AF03 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only;
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Dose dependent
Protein binding	~15%
Elimination half-life	6.2 hours
Excretion	Kidney
Identifiers
	IUPAC name (2S)-2-{[4-[(2-amino-5-formyl-4-oxo-5,6,7,8-; tetrahydro-1H-pteridin-6-yl)methylamino]; benzoyl]amino}pentanedioic acid;
CAS Number	1492-18-8 ;
PubChem CID	6006;
IUPHAR/BPS	4816;
DrugBank	DB00650 ;
ChemSpider	5784 ;
UNII	RPR1R4C0P4;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1679 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID0048216 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.328
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C20H23N7O7
Molar mass	473.446 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
Melting point	245 °C (473 °F) decomp
Solubility in water	~0.3 mg/mL (20 °C)
	SMILES O=C(O)[C@@H](NC(=O)c1ccc(cc1)NCC3N(/C2=C(/N/C(=N\C2=O)N)NC3)C=O)CCC(=O)O;
	InChI InChI=1S/C20H23N7O7/c21-20-25-16-15(18(32)26-20)27(9-28)12(8-23-16)7-22-11-3-1-10(2-4-11)17(31)24-13(19(33)34)5-6-14(29)30/h1-4,9,12-13,22H,5-8H2,(H,24,31)(H,29,30)(H,33,34)(H4,21,23,25,26,32)/t12?,13-/m0/s1 ; Key:VVIAGPKUTFNRDU-ABLWVSNPSA-N ;
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Folinic acid, also known as leucovorin, is a medication used to decrease the toxic effects of methotrexate and pyrimethamine. It is also used in combination with 5-fluorouracil to treat colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, may be used to treat folate deficiency that results in anemia, and methanol poisoning. It is taken by mouth, injection into a muscle, or injection into a vein.

Side effects may include trouble sleeping, allergic reactions, or fever. Use in pregnancy or breastfeeding is generally regarded as safe. When used for anemia it is recommended that pernicious anemia as a cause be ruled out first. Folinic acid is a form of folic acid that does not require activation by dihydrofolate reductase to be useful to the body.