An off-label prescription drug has been shown to help some non-verbal children with autism discover the ability to speak.
The drug, leucovorin, is a prescription vitamin that functions similarly to folic acid, helping to restore folate levels in patients who may have difficulty absorbing or using it, according to Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company.
“Leucovorin is FDA-approved to reduce the toxic effects of high-dose methotrexate in cancer treatment and to prevent or treat certain types of anemia caused by folate deficiency,” Dubinsky told Fox News Digital.
While leucovorin isn’t prescribed for the treatment of autism, some families have found that its off-label use has led to significant improvements in autistic children’s communication skills, experts say.
Richard E. Frye, M.D., PhD, a behavioral child neurologist in Arizona, has studied the drug in his research of experimental treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder.
“Leucovorin is a special form of vitamin B9 that is water-soluble and does not build up in your body,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Folates have been found to be safe long-term for many years and that is why we supplement our food with folate.”
The main benefit of leucovorin for children with autism is improvement in language, Frye said, but other advantages may include enhanced social function, reduced repetitive behaviors and stronger attention skills.
“Our goal is to get leucovorin approved by the FDA for autism so it can be widely prescribed to children as one of the first treatments once they are diagnosed.”
“We do find that leucovorin helps a substantial number of children with autism,” he said. “Language is one of the most obvious things, so that is what we measured in our clinical trial.”
However, some children do become “extremely hyperactive,” do not respond to leucovorin and end up needing alternative treatments, the doctor noted.
It’s important for families to work with a medical professional when exploring the use of leucovorin for autism, he advised.
“Leucovorin is given at much higher doses than regular vitamins, so it’s very important to work with a doctor knowledgeable in how to prescribe it,” Frye said.
“It is important to test the patient for abnormalities in the folate pathway, such as the folate receptor autoantibody, so we know that they are a candidate for this medication.”
“This could lead to insurance coverage, standardized dosing guidelines and broader acceptance in the medical community.”
Siegel added that leucovorin is a “safe drug” and should be considered for large-scale use based on the findings of recent research.
‘No magic bullet’
Frye pointed out that there is “no magic bullet” for autism, with many children benefiting from a combination of multiple treatments.
“It is unlikely that leucovorin will be used alone — it must be used with behavioral and speech therapy,” he said. “We believe that leucovorin can improve outcomes for these therapies.”
“There is little evidence to suggest that the benefits observed in this individual case can be generalized to the broader autistic community.”
Andy Shih, PhD, chief science officer of Autism Speaks in New York, noted that every child’s experience with autism is unique.
“There is little evidence to suggest that the benefits observed in this individual case can be generalized to the broader autistic community,” he told Fox News Digital.
“While some small studies have explored leucovorin as a potential treatment for people with autism, larger controlled clinical trials are needed to determine its efficacy and safety. We urge families to consult with their doctors before considering off-label treatments.”
Dubinsky added that if larger studies confirm leucovorin’s effectiveness, it could become a more accessible treatment for children with autism who may benefit from it.
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