L-Methylfolate
DEPLIN
“Deep in My foliage”
individuals with 2 copies of the C677T MTHFR allele—“poor M*TH**F***Rs”—may benefit from L-methylfolate over folic acid supplementation
holding garbanzo beans (chickpeas), which are folate-rich
What it isBlood-brain-barrier-penetrant active folate and methyl donor; adjunct in depression and folate deficiency.
Why it mattersBypasses MTHFR conversion, delivering active folate regardless of reduced folic-acid metabolism.
What it changesMarketed as a medical food rather than a drug, so evidence standards are lower and cost is high.
Pearls
- Modest adjunctive benefit in unipolar depression; bipolar use anecdotal only.
Used for
- antidepressant augmentation (marketed as a medical food)
- folate deficiency
Principal riskMarketed as a medical food, so evidence standards are lower
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Product label (not FDA-approved)
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
NO BOXED WARNINGS
| Label dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinct nutritional requirement (usual adult dose) | adult | 7.5-15 mg QD |
Renal Undefined
Hepatic Undefined
Instructions
- Take daily with or without food, or as directed under medical supervision
Available strengths
- tab 15 mg
Adverse reactions
- Allergic reactions
Pregnancy Undefined
Lactation Undefined
Cost
L-Methylfolate (DEPLIN)
| Strength | #/mo | generic $/mo | CostPlus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mg | tab | 30 qd | not offered |
NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. L-Methylfolate is dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.
Open L-Methylfolate in the interactive console ↗
Memory aids: interaction avatars
Open L-Methylfolate in the interactive console ↗
Self-check
- Which enzymatic conversion does L-methylfolate bypass?
MTHFR conversion. - Is L-methylfolate marketed as a drug or medical food?
Medical food.