Methylfolate

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 31, 2023.

Pronunciation

(meth il FO late)

Index Terms

6(S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate
6(S)-5-MTHF
L-methylfolate

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Capsule, Oral:

Denovo: 15 mg [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), tartrazine (fd&c yellow #5)]

Deplin 7.5: L-methylfolate 7.5 mg and Schizochytrium algae [contains fd&c red #40, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake, sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

Deplin 15: L-methylfolate 15 mg and Schizochytrium algae [contains fd&c red #40, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

L-Methylfolate Formula 15: L-methylfolate 15 mg and Schizochytrium algae [DSC] [contains sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

L-Methylfolate Formula 7.5: L-methylfolate 7.5 mg and Schizochytrium algae [DSC] [contains sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

L-Methylfolate Forte: L-methylfolate 7.5 mg and Schizochytrium algae [contains fd&c red #40, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake, sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

L-Methylfolate Forte: L-methylfolate 15 mg and Schizochytrium algae [contains sodium caseinate, soy protein, soybean lecithin]

Generic: L-methylfolate 15 mg and Schizochytrium algae, L-methylfolate 7.5 mg and Schizochytrium algae [DSC]

Tablet, Oral:

Elfolate: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

Generic: 7.5 mg, 15 mg

Brand Names: U.S.

Denovo [OTC]
Deplin 15
Deplin 7.5
Elfolate
L-Methylfolate Formula 15 [DSC]
L-Methylfolate Formula 7.5 [DSC]
L-Methylfolate Forte

Pharmacologic Category

Medical Food

Pharmacology

Methylfolate, or L-methylfolate, is the active form of folate in the body, which can be transported into peripheral tissues and across the blood-brain barrier. Folate is necessary for formation of numerous coenzymes in many metabolic systems, particularly for purine, pyrimidine, and nucleoprotein synthesis, and maintenance in erythropoiesis; stimulates WBC and platelet production in folate deficiency anemia.

Use: Labeled Indications

Medical food for the nutritional requirements of patients with suboptimal L-methylfolate and who have major depressive disorder or schizophrenia

Note: A medical food is formulated to be administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements are established by medical evaluation. Medical foods are not drugs and, therefore, are not subject to any FDA regulatory requirements that specifically apply to drugs (eg, requirement for written/oral prescription prior to dispensing, premarket review or approval, proof of safety and efficacy).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation

Dosing: Adult

Medical food: Oral: 7.5 to 15 mg daily

Dosing: Geriatric

Refer to adult dosing.

Administration

Oral: May be administered with or without food.

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature of 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from heat, light, and moisture.

Drug Interactions

CarBAMazepine: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of CarBAMazepine. Monitor therapy

Cholestyramine Resin: May decrease the serum concentration of Methylfolate. Monitor therapy

Colestipol: May decrease the serum concentration of Methylfolate. Monitor therapy

Fosphenytoin: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of Fosphenytoin. Monitor therapy

PHENobarbital: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of PHENobarbital. Monitor therapy

Phenytoin: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of Phenytoin. Monitor therapy

Primidone: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of Primidone. Monitor therapy

Pyrimethamine: Methylfolate may diminish the therapeutic effect of Pyrimethamine. Monitor therapy

Raltitrexed: Methylfolate may diminish the therapeutic effect of Raltitrexed. Avoid combination

SulfaSALAzine: May decrease the serum concentration of Methylfolate. Monitor therapy

Valproate Products: Methylfolate may decrease the serum concentration of Valproate Products. Monitor therapy

Warnings/Precautions

Disease-related concerns:

• Anemia: Monotherapy: Not appropriate for monotherapy with pernicious or other megaloblastic anemias when anemia is present with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

• Pernicious anemia: Doses >0.1 mg/day may obscure pernicious anemia with continuing irreversible nerve damage progression.

Other warnings/precautions:

• Medicinal food: Product is a medicinal food for use only under the supervision of a health care provider.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to aid diet needs.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a limited summary of general information about the medicine's uses from the patient education leaflet and is not intended to be comprehensive. This limited summary does NOT include all information available about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. For a more detailed summary of information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the entire patient education leaflet.