title: Folate augmentation of antidepressant response.
abstract: The use of two antidepressants from the initiation of treatment in major depressive disorder has been investigated in several recent studies and forms a paradigm shift in the pharmacotherapy of the condition. Several, but not all, trials have claimed improved response and remission rates with the combinations as opposed to monotherapy. The use of folate preparations (folic and folinic acid and l-meth-ylfolate) have shown effective augmentation of antidepressant response in a variety of controlled and open-label settings in patients with normo- and hypofolatemic status. Several recent trials using L-methylfolate, the active and more bioavailable form of folic acid, have shown promising adjunctive use with a well-tolerated adverse event profile.
authors: Freelance Medical Writer. scientific.prous@thomsonreuters.com.
authors: R T
authors: RT
authors: Owen
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; D005492:Folic Acid; D002955:Leucovorin; C005984:5-methyltetrahydrofolate
keywords: Depression; Folate; L-Methylfolate