Leucovorin Prescriptions Surge for Autism
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported May 18, 2026 · Last updated May 20, 2026
The study's findings highlight how public attention and official statements can rapidly influence prescribing patterns for drugs like Folinic acid, even without robust clinical trial data. This could lead to increased demand for certain pharmaceutical products, potentially benefiting manufacturers like GSK plc>>> in the short term, but also raises concerns about unproven treatments and potential long-term safety for patients, impacting the healthcare industry broadly.
A study by the University of California, San Diego, published in JAMA Network Open on May 18, 2026, revealed a more than 2,000% surge in prescriptions for Folinic acid among children with autism spectrum disorder. This dramatic increase coincided with a national television news segment in February 2025 and public promotion by United States — White House>>> officials, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.>>> and Donald Trump>>>, in September 2025. While small trials suggested some benefits for folate-deficient children with autism, large-scale studies on Folinic acid's effectiveness and long-term safety for ASD are incomplete. The United States — Food and Drug Administration>>> approved Folinic acid for cerebral folate transport deficiency in March 2026 but not for autism. The study, led by Josh Rothman>>>, used data from the Epic Systems>>> Cosmos database, covering over 800,000 children with autism across the United States>>>. Researchers emphasize the need for rigorous data to inform clinical decisions.
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