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, Pyridoxal 5-phosphate, Methylcobalamin and Schizochytrium DHA Oil
PNV Tabs 20-1
BumP DHA
Virt-PN
Hormon Balance
Zatean-Pn DHA
Maxaron Forte
NeoMaterna
Virt-PN Plus
Tri-Vi-Flor
NuFera
Obstetrix ONE
Medi-10
Multivitamin with Fluoride
L-Methyl MC
Virt-Pn DHA
Select-OB Plus DHA Prenatal Supplement Plus DHA
Menatrol
Tricare Prenatal Quick Dissolve
Obstetrix EC
Davimet-M
Obstetrix DHA Combo Pack
Multi-Vit-Flor
FloraFol
Quflora FE
Poly-VI-flor
Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
L-Methyl-MC
Vitafol Nano
Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol and Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
Zatean-Pn
Finazol
PreGenna
L-Methylfolate Calcium
Poly-Vi-Flor with Iron
WestGel DHA
Hemax
Multitol-M
TL-Folate
FolaPrime
Virt-Pn
Safyral
Levomefolate Calcium, Cyanocobalamin and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
Zatean-Pn Plus
Poly-Vi-Flor
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