L Methylfolate
About
L Methylfolate belongs to a class of medications called 'Nutritional supplements' primarily used to treat low red blood cells level due to various complications or long term disease. It is used to prevent and treat the low levels of folic acid in the blood during certain health conditions (anaemia, pregnancy, inadequate diet, surgery recovery). Its deficiency occurs mainly due to insufficient diet, low absorption of food or increased folate use in the body (in pregnancy). Anaemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells for carrying adequate oxygen required to various body tissues.
L Methylfolate contains L-methyl folate, also known as folic acid (a form of Vitamin B9) primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell). L Methylfolate works by boosting the production of red blood cells (RBC) in the body. As a result, an adequate number of RBC is produced in the body, so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen.
Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience some common side effects like stomach upset, loss of appetite. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Do not take L Methylfolate if you are allergic to L Methylfolate, folic acid or any of the ingredients of L Methylfolate. Do not start taking any new medication without telling your doctor. Before taking L Methylfolate, tell your doctor if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anaemia, or bipolar disorder (manic depression). If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother, please consult your doctor before taking L Methylfolate. Please tell your doctor if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Uses of L Methylfolate
Medicinal Benefits
L Methylfolate works like a supplement, that provides the body with more folic acid in certain health conditions (low diet, anaemia, pregnancy, surgery recovery). L Methylfolate works as a supplement and compromises L-methyl folate contains folate also known as folic acid (a form of Vitamin B9). This is a water-soluble vitamin that treats and prevents vitamin B9 deficiency, anaemia (lack of red blood cells), neural tube defects, cleft palate (congenital disabilities), anaemia caused by faulty development of red blood cells such as after stomach surgery or during pregnancy, Coeliac disease (the body cannot digest gluten), and tropical and non-tropical Sprue (the gut cannot absorb food).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of L Methylfolate
- Upset stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Altered sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Excitement
- Confusion
- Abdominal distention
- Gas (flatulence)
- Bitter or bad taste
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor before taking L Methylfolate if you have or had an allergic reaction to any components present in this medicine, has a different type of anemia, has any condition that affects your red blood cells, like sickle cell anemia, has a stomach ulcer, or noticed blood in your pee. It is usually safe to consume L Methylfolate by pregnant or breastfeeding women, however, one should consult with their doctor before taking L Methylfolate. L Methylfolate should only be given to children below 12 years if the doctor clearly specifies it. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects. It is advised to avoid consuming any antacids, dairy products, like tea, or coffee as it may affect the action of L Methylfolate. Inform your doctor if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). This disease may make it hard to absorb B complex vitamins when given orally. Your doctor may prescribe other dosage forms of L Methylfolate in such a case. Excessive alcohol consumption reduces the absorption and increases the elimination of folic acid. Alcohol can also worsen the side effects like drowsiness and stomach upset. Hence, please avoid alcohol while using L Methylfolate.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: L Methylfolate may interact with anti-cancer drugs (capecitabine, fluorouracil, methotrexate), fits medicines (phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), stomach-related drugs (sulfasalazine), and cholesterol-lowering drugs (cholestyramine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Excessive alcohol consumption reduces absorption and increases the elimination of folic acid. Alcohol can also worsen the side effects like drowsiness and stomach upset.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Use L Methylfolate with medical advice if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food) and allergic reactions to medicines.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionExcessive alcohol consumption reduces the absorption and increases the elimination of folic acid. Hence, please avoid alcohol while using L Methylfolate.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedL Methylfolate is safe to consume in pregnancy, however, do not take it without asking the doctor.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedL Methylfolate is safe to consume in breastfeeding, however, do not take it without asking the doctor.
Driving
safe if prescribedL Methylfolate does not affect the ability to drive, so one can drive after taking L Methylfolate.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if prescribedThe doctor will prescribe the dosage of L Methylfolate based on the child's age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try Vitamin B complex food sources like milk, cheese, eggs, liver and kidney, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, and salmon, shellfish, oysters, clams, dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, beets, avocados, potatoes, whole grains, cereals, kidney beans, black beans, and chickpea.
- Try folate-rich food sources like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, liver (avoid this during pregnancy), and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid.
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds over your food, vegetables, and salads.
- Include fruits like citrus, banana, and watermelon in your diet.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid excess fatty foods.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests like Complete blood count (CBC) can help check the count of blood cells.
- Some foods can affect the absorption of L Methylfolate, including tea, coffee, milk dairy products, eggs, and soybean products, so avoid taking these foods within or after 2 hours of taking this medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: It is a health condition that happens when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin than normal haemoglobin (the iron-rich protein responsible for allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). Dietary iron, folic acid, and zinc are essential for red blood cells to produce and mature in the body. Generally, 0.8 to 1 % of red blood cells are replaced daily. Any process that affects red blood cell production and destruction can cause anaemia. Some of the factors responsible for anaemia include accidents, childbirth, dietary insufficiency, and excessive uterine bleeding.
Vitamin B9 deficiency: When your body doesn't have adequate levels of a water-soluble vitamin called Folic acid or Vitamin B9, this disease is developed. Vitamin B9 deficiency symptoms include fatigue, mouth sores, a weak immune system, tiredness, and low energy level.
FAQs
L Methylfolate is derived from folate that enters the brain and works directly as a methyl donor and monoamine synthesis modulator, thereby minimizing depression symptoms. It also increases red blood cells (RBCs) in our body.
A person should avoid any dairy products, tea, or coffee within 2 hours before and after taking medication to reduce the medication's effectiveness.
Common signs and symptoms of low folic acid (vitamin B9) are mouth sores, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, lethargy, irritability, shortness of breath, and tongue swelling.
Do not discontinue L Methylfolate without consulting your doctor as it might lead to recurring symptoms. To treat your condition effectually continue taking L Methylfolate for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking L Methylfolate.
Folate deficiency occurs when your body lacks adequate folic acid/folate levels. You can overcome this deficiency by including food sources rich in folic acid like broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, liver (avoid this during pregnancy), and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid. If your folic acid levels are still low, your doctor may prescribe its supplements.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food) since it may be hard to absorb vitamins through oral administration. Your doctor may prescribe other dosage forms of L Methylfolate in such case.
