Levomefolic acid (INN) is the metabolite of folic acid (Vitamin B9) and it is a predominant active form of folate found in foods and in the blood circulation, accounting for 98% of folates in human plasma [A19276]. It is transported across the membranes including the blood-brain barrier into various tissues where it plays an essential role in the DNA synthesis, cysteine cycle and regulation of homocysteine, where it methylates homocysteine and forms methionine and tetrahydrofolate (THF). Levomefolate is approved as a food additive and is designated a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) compound [L773]. It is available commercially as a crystalline form of the calcium salt (Metafolin(R)), which has the stability required for use as a supplement [A19276]. Supplementation of levomefolic acid is desired over folic acid due to reduced potential for masking vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.
Levomefolate Calcium, Cyanocobalamin and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Prenate Mini
Tendera-OB
FolateXcel
Quflora Pediatric
NuFera
KeyFolic
Multivitamin
TriStart DHA
Multitol-M
Tydemy
Multivitamin with Fluoride
Virt-PN Plus
L-Methyl-MC
Inflamex
Obstetrix ONE
Obtrex One
Enl
Tricare Prenatal Quick Dissolve
Menatrol
Puralor
PNV Tabs 20-1
PaxLyte
WellFola
Tricare Prenatal DHA One With Folate
Quflora Pediatric Drops
Hematron-AF
Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/levomefolate calcium and levomefolate calcium
Yasmin Plus
Prenate Elite
Quflora FE
Virt-Pn
Zatean-Pn DHA
BumP DHA
Denovo
Poly-VI-flor
Davimet-M
Indication
For the treatment and prevention of folate deficiency and for use as an antidote against folic acid antagonists. Contained in oral contraceptives to reduce the risk of neural tube defects arising from folic acid deficiency for pregnant women who conceived during use or shortly after the discontinuation of the product. Being studied for use as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases [A19273] and adjunct therapy for patients undergoing antidepressant pharmacotherapy [A19271, A19272].
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682