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 Acetylcysteine and Mecobalamin Algal
Zatean-Pn
Levomefolate Calcium and Schizochytrium DHA
Menatrol
Quflora Pediatric Drops
Tricare Prenatal DHA One With Folate
FolaPrime
Maxaron Forte
Levomefolate Calcium, Acetylcysteine, Mecobalamin and Algal
Prenate Elite
FloraFol
Beyaz
L-Methyl-MC-NAC
Poly-Vi-Flor
Poly-Vi-Flor with Iron
Inflamex
EnLyte
Hematron-AF
Prenate Mini
Virt-PN Plus
Floriva Plus
L-Methyl-MC
KeyFolic
Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol/Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
Multi-Vit-Flor
Zatean-Pn DHA
Floriva
Select OB
Chromagen
Davimet-M
TL-Folate
Prenate Essential
Tri-Vi-Flor
Vitafol Fe Plus
Natal PNV
Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/levomefolate calcium and levomefolate calcium
Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol and Levomefolate Calcium and Levomefolate Calcium
NuFera
MaxFe
Vitafol Ultra
Livita Children
Levomefolate Calcium and Algal
Virt-PN DHA
TriStart DHA
Yasmin Plus
Quflora Pediatric
ProFola
Tricare Prenatal 2-part Daily Prenatal Vitamin System
Davimet with Fluoride
Yaz Plus
Rajani
Virt-PN
Rulavite DHA
Virt-Pn DHA
Quflora FE Pediatric Drops
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