L-methylfolate

L-methylfolate is a form of a B vitamin used to treat depression, megaloblastic anemia, and renal and hepatic impairment.

• L-methylfolate is available under the following different brand names: Deplin.

Tablets

• 7.5 mg
• 15 mg

Adult and Geriatric Dosing

Depression

• Adjunctive treatment to antidepressant medication
• 7.5 - 15 mg orally once/day

Megaloblastic Anemia

• Adjunctive treatment to antidepressant medication
• 7.5 - 15 mg orally once/day

Renal and Hepatic Impairment

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

Side effects of L-methylfolate include:

• Altered sleep patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Overactivity
• Excitement
• Confusion
• Impaired judgment
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Abdominal distention
• Gas (flatulence)
• Bitter or bad taste

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• L-methylfolate has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

This medication contains L-methylfolate. Do not take Deplin if you are allergic to L-methylfolate or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity
• Previous intolerance to the supplement

Effects of Drug Abuse

No information is available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using L-methylfolate?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using L-methylfolate?"

Cautions

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

Pregnancy and Lactation

L-methylfolate is generally acceptable for use during pregnancy. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk. L-methylfolate is distributed in breast milk; the amount present in milk is adequate to fulfill infant daily requirements.