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.
Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol and Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
EnBrace HR
Tricare Prenatal 2-part Daily Prenatal Vitamin System
Virt-Pn
L-Methyl MC
Virt-PN DHA
Obtrex One
Vitafol Ultra
Menatrol
Yaz Plus
WestGel DHA
Levomefolate Calcium, Pyridoxal 5-phosphate, Methylcobalamin and Schizochytrium DHA Oil
L-Methyl PNV DHA
TL-Folate
Folixate
Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
Zatean-Pn
Obstetrix DHA Combo Pack
Quflora FE Pediatric Drops
ProFola
Sodium polysulthionate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate
Prenate Elite
WellFola
Hematron-AF
Hemax
Puralor
Tydemy
Rulavite DHA
Virt-PN
Tri-Vi-Flor
Levomefolate Calcium Acetylcysteine and Mecobalamin Algal
Prenatol-M
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