The prescription rate for Leucovorin in children has surged to a record high, increasing by over 2000% compared to previous years. In a new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, scientists from the University of California analyzed in detail what triggered this spike in demand, particularly at a time when the drug’s efficacy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has not yet been established by large-scale clinical trials. According to the data, demand for Leucovorin remained completely stable for two years; however, the situation changed radically starting in 2025.
The first specific catalyst for this sharp increase was a news segment broadcast on US national television in February 2025. In the report, a featured family claimed that after taking Leucovorin, their child on the autism spectrum showed significant improvements in speech and communication skills. This segment fueled interest in the medication among parents on social media, causing the prescription rate to jump tenfold within just a few months, specifically by August.
Interest in the drug intensified further in September 2025, driven this time by political statements. Senior officials of the White House administration publicly mentioned and encouraged the use of Leucovorin as part of new government initiatives to support autism. This endorsement pushed demand to a record high by November of the same year.
From a scientific standpoint, Leucovorin (folinic acid) is actually an active form of folic acid. In the current month of March 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved it solely for the treatment of a single, very rare genetic neurological disorder; however, the agency has not granted this approval for autism spectrum disorder itself.
To identify this trend, researchers analyzed the medical histories of more than 830,000 children. The study’s authors emphasize that this case serves as a classic and alarming example of how rapidly the media and public figures can alter actual medical practice and drive demand for a therapy before science provides robust, large-scale guarantees regarding the drug’s safety and efficacy.
