A Promising Autism Treatment or Just Hype?3/16/26

Last fall, federal health officials announced that leucovorin — a common vitamin B9 derivative — could be a treatment for autism. Parents rushed to get it, flooding social media groups with doctor recommendations and prescription tips. Prescriptions jumped 71% in the last quarter of 2025. But the science never quite matched the excitement, and just last week the administration quietly walked it back, limiting approval to an incredibly rare genetic condition affecting fewer than 50 people worldwide.

The fallout has put doctors in a tough spot. Many major medical groups have advised against prescribing leucovorin for autism, but parents are desperate — and some are willing to pay thousands of dollars to private practitioners who will write the script. Key safety questions remain unanswered, including proper dosing, long-term effects in children, and the risk of shortages for cancer patients who actually depend on the drug.