l-methylfolate

What is the most important information I should know about l-methylfolate?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is l-methylfolate?

Folate is a form of B vitamin that occurs naturally in many foods. Folic acid is the man-made form of folate that is added to processed foods or vitamin and mineral supplements. Folate is needed in the human body for production of red blood cells.

A lack (deficiency) of folate in the human body can be caused by certain diseases, by taking certain medications, or by not getting enough folate in your diet. Folate deficiency can lead to decreased red blood cells, or anemia. Folate deficiency can also cause high levels of a certain amino acid in the blood, a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia (HYE-per-HOE-moe-sis-tin-EE-mee-a).

L-methylfolate is a medical food for use in people who have conditions related to folate deficiency. L-methylfolate is also used in people with major depressive disorder who have folate deficiency, or in people with schizophrenia who have hyperhomocysteinemia related to folate deficiency.

L-methylfolate is not an antidepressant or anti-psychotic medication. However, l-methylfolate may enhance the effects of antidepressant medications.

L-methylfolate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking l-methylfolate?

To make sure l-methylfolate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• seizures or epilepsy;
• a history of vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia; or
• a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

How should I take l-methylfolate?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take l-methylfolate with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

L-methylfolate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include other medications, and psychological counseling when used in people with depression or schizophrenia. Follow your medication and counseling routines very closely.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of l-methylfolate is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking l-methylfolate?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of l-methylfolate?

Less serious side effects may occur, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect l-methylfolate?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• capecitabine;
• fluoxetine (Prozac);
• isotretinoin;
• methotrexate;
• methylprednisolone;
• pancrelipase;
• pyrimethamine;
• triamterene;
• trimethoprim;
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• birth control pills;
• oral diabetes medicine that contains metformin (Glucophage, Avandamet, Metaglip, and others);
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
• seizure medicine --carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with l-methylfolate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about l-methylfolate.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 7/1/2016.