L-methylfolate (Rx)

Brand and Other Names:Deplin

Dosing & Uses

AdultPediatricGeriatric

Dosage Forms & Strengths

tablet

  • 7.5mg
  • 15mg

Depression

Adjunctive treatment to antidepressant medication

7.5 - 15 mg PO qDay

Megaloblastic Anemia

7.5 - 15 mg PO qDay

Renal & Hepatic Impairment

Moderate-to-severe renal or hepatic impairment: Not to exceed 40 mg/day

Safety and efficacy not established

Depression

Enhances the effect of antidepressants when taken concomitantly

7.5 mg – 15 mg PO qDay

Megaloblastic Anemia

7.5 mg – 15 mg PO qDay

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Adverse Effects

Frequency Not Defined

Altered sleep patterns

Difficulty concentrating

Irritability

Overactivity

Excitement

Confusion

Impaired judgment

Anorexia

Nausea

Abdominal

Distention

Flatulence

Bitter or bad taste

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Warnings

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity

Previous intolerance to the supplement

Cautions

Not for administration as monotherapy in pernicious or other megaloblastic anemias when present with vitamin B12 deficiency

Doses >0.1 mg/day may obscure pernicious anemia; hematology remission can be achieved while irreversible nerve damage continues to progress

Product is to be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category A

Lactation: Distributed in breast milk; amount present in milk adequate to fulfill infant daily requirements

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Nutrition

Folate occurs naturally in many foods, particularly leafy green vegetables. L-methylfolate is a medical nutritional supplement used in patients that have conditions related to folate deficiency.

Function

Used for dietary management of low plasma or low red blood cell folate. Deplin is a medical nutritional supplement that provides the body with folate.

Other Information

Patients that become pregnant should inform their doctor about the pregnancy.

Patients that receive folic acid therapy for a prolonged period of time may experience a decrease in vitamin B12 serum levels.

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Pharmacology

Peak Plasma Time: 1 hr

Metabolism: Liver

Excretion: feces (traces), urine (90%)

Mechanism of Action

L-methylfolate is the primary biologically active isomer of folic acid and the primary form of folate in circulation

Folic acid is a precursor of tetrahydrofolic acid, which is involved as a cofactor for transformylation reactions

These reactions are involved in the biosynthesis of thymidylates and purines of nucleic acids

The mechanism as an adjunct therapy in depression is unknown

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Administration

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Images

No images available for this drug.
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Patient Handout

A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.
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Formulary

FormularyPatient Discounts

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The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information.

Tier Description
1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs.
2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs.
3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs.
4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products.
NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan.
Code Definition
PA Prior Authorization
Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription.
QL Quantity Limits
Drugs that have quantity limits associated with each prescription. This restriction typically limits the quantity of the drug that will be covered.
ST Step Therapy
Drugs that have step therapy associated with each prescription. This restriction typically requires that certain criteria be met prior to approval for the prescription.
OR Other Restrictions
Drugs that have restrictions other than prior authorization, quantity limits, and step therapy associated with each prescription.
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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.