Leucovorin Prescriptions for Children Increase 46% Following Autism Claims

Leucovorin prescriptions for children surged in the months following a September 2025 press conference in which federal officials announced the drug as an effective treatment for autism. The claim, made by representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, prompted a sharp increase in prescribing activity, according to a new study led by Michigan Medicine and published in *The New England Journal of Medicine*.

The study analyzed prescription data from the state’s Medicaid program and private insurers, finding a 45 % rise in leucovorin orders for patients under 18 between September and December 2025, compared with the same period in 2024. Researchers noted that the spike coincided almost exactly with the officials’ announcement, and that many prescribers cited the federal endorsement as the primary reason for initiating therapy. Leucovorin, a synthetic form of folinic acid traditionally used to counteract methotrexate toxicity, has no established evidence base for treating autism spectrum disorder.

The findings raise questions about the influence of high‑profile endorsements on prescribing practices and underscore the need for rigorous clinical trials before new indications are widely adopted. The Michigan Medicine team calls for clearer guidance from regulatory agencies to prevent similar rapid uptake of unproven therapies.