L-methylfolate (Deplin)
CAM (involved in production of serotonin, norephinephrine, dopamine)
- Major Depression
- Schizophrenia negative symptoms
- Bipolar Depression
Features
Dosing
15 mg/d (can start at treating dose).
Management
Well-tolerated, risk free. Best price is on Amazon, but some insurers cover it as prescription (or in Enlyte form which contains more vitamins for depression).
Works as well as most augmentation agents in depression (by effect size). Works better in obesity, older age, MTHFR gene abnormalities, and inflammation (CRP>3), and possible with lamotrigine/depakote as those two deplete folate.
EMR Text
Depression
Methylfolate use based on FDA clearance in depression and efficacy in multiple controlled trials (Maruf AA et al, Pharmacopsychiatry. 2022;55(3):139-147).
Methylfolate side effects reviewed with patient.
Depression
Methylfolate use based on FDA clearance in depression and a pilot controlled trial in bipolar depression (Nierenberg AA et al, J Affect Disord. 2017;207:429-433).
Methylfolate side effects reviewed with patient.