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Folic Acid

FDA-approved product (injectable, injection), marketed as Folic Acid, Folicet, Folvite and 1 more.

Registered studies
50+
Lab records
3
Pathogens at ≥40%
4 of 4

Chemical structure

Chemical structure of Folic Acid
A drawing shows what the molecule is, not what it does.

Existing / approved use

Documented · FDA, WHO, ChEMBL

Approved for

  • Acne
  • Anemia
  • Anemia (phenotype)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic renal failure syndrome
  • Depressive disorder
  • Folate deficiency
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Osteoporosis
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Indications ChEMBL records as approved, from FDA and DailyMed labels. Label ↗

WHO therapeutic group
Folic acid and derivatives; Other diagnostic agents
Anti-infective classification
Not classified as an anti-infective.

Repurposing investigation

This medicine is being investigated here for AI-predicted antimicrobial activity against E. coli, MRSA, K. pneumoniae and M. tuberculosis. It was surfaced computationally for further investigation; it is not an established treatment for these infections.

AI-predicted activity

AI prediction · nothing measured
  • MRSA43.5% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • E. coli87.0% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates. This medicine was in the model's training data, so this is recall, not a new prediction.
  • K. pneumoniae47.8% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.
  • M. tuberculosis50.0% AI-predicted activityAt or above the ≥40% mark this site uses to surface candidates.

A model’s estimate of laboratory activity against each pathogen species. It is not clinical effectiveness.

Evidence

Clinical and experimental

Documented evidence

Clinical

50+registered studies name this medicine, for any condition. The registry search keeps the first 50, so there may be more. See them below.

Experimental

  • E. coli: measured active in 3 of 3 lab records
Show the 3 laboratory records, with sources

Loading records…

“Active” means the measured value reached this project’s laboratory cutoff (10 µM or stronger). A laboratory result does not show an effect in patients.

Docking

Computational · nothing measured

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (E. coli)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

KPC-2 carbapenemase ↗ (K. pneumoniae)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

Enoyl-ACP reductase (InhA) ↗ (M. tuberculosis)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

Dihydrofolate reductase ↗ (MRSA)

Not yet docked: queued in the docking rundetails

AutoDock Vina, one experimentally solved protein per pathogen. This project’s screening target is -7.0 kcal/mol, its own mark rather than a universal cutoff. A docking score is a structural hypothesis, not proof of binding, and requires experimental validation.

Other medicines to investigate

AI prediction · nothing measured

Other repurposing candidates: approved medicines besides Folic Acid with AI-predicted activity ≥40% against the chosen pathogen, leaving out existing antimicrobials. They are computational candidates for further investigation, not alternatives and not recommendations.

Sorted by AI-predicted activity, high to low. The order is not a ranking of which medicine is better.

Registered studies

A registration describes a study; it does not establish a positive result.

  • Iron Supplementation and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in ELGANs

    NCT04691843 · start 2021-02-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04691843
    Conditions
    Iron-deficiency
    Interventions
    Iron Sulfate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2021-02-01
    Completion
    2024-08-31
    Enrolment
    51

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron-deficiency
    InterventionIron Sulfate
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Effect of Health Information Package Program on Knowledge and Compliance Among Pregnant Women With Anemia

    NCT04661865 · start 2021-01-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04661865
    Conditions
    Knowledge; Anemia; Pregnant Women
    Interventions
    Health Information Package Program (HIP program )
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2021-01-01
    Completion
    2021-05-31
    Enrolment
    196

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionKnowledge; Anemia; Pregnant Women
    InterventionHealth Information Package Program (HIP program )
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Iron and Vitamin A in School Children

    NCT04137354 · start 2020-11-02

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04137354
    Conditions
    Anemia, Iron Deficiency; Vitamin A Deficiency; Cognitive Development; Helminthic Infection
    Interventions
    Intermittent placebo iron supplement; Intermittent iron supplement; Placebo Vitamin A; High-dose Vitamin A supplement
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2020-11-02
    Completion
    2021-12-28
    Enrolment
    504

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionAnemia, Iron Deficiency; Vitamin A Deficiency; Cognitive Development; Helminthic Infection
    InterventionIntermittent placebo iron supplement; Intermittent iron supplement; Placebo Vitamin A; High-dose Vitamin A supplement
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Potential Harms of Untargeted Iron Supplementation in Cambodia Where Iron Deficiency is Not the Cause of Anemia

    NCT04017598 · start 2019-12-10

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04017598
    Conditions
    Anemia, Iron Deficiency; Anemia; Intestinal Inflammation; Inflammation; Intestine; Complaints
    Interventions
    Ferrous sulfate; Ferrous Bisglycinate; Placebo of microcrystalline cellulose
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2019-12-10
    Completion
    2023-12-01
    Enrolment
    480

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionAnemia, Iron Deficiency; Anemia; Intestinal Inflammation; Inflammation +2 more
    InterventionFerrous sulfate; Ferrous Bisglycinate; Placebo of microcrystalline cellulose
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Intravenous (IV) Versus Oral Iron Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Post-operative Bariatric Surgical Patient

    NCT03777514 · start 2019-08

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03777514
    Conditions
    IDA in the Post-bariatric Surgical Patient
    Interventions
    Ferumoxytol; Ferrous sulfate; Oral vitamin C; Intravenous normal saline
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Withdrawn
    Start
    2019-08
    Completion
    2022-09
    Enrolment
    0

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIDA in the Post-bariatric Surgical Patient
    InterventionFerumoxytol; Ferrous sulfate; Oral vitamin C; Intravenous normal saline
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusWithdrawn
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Chinese Pregnant Women: a Multi-center Prospective Cohort Study

    NCT03961074 · start 2019-05-10

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03961074
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    Interventions
    Iron deficiency anemia in Chinese pregnant women
    Study type
    OBSERVATIONAL
    Phase
    Not recorded
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2019-05-10
    Completion
    2021-11-30
    Enrolment
    5,551

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    InterventionIron deficiency anemia in Chinese pregnant women
    PhaseNot recorded
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Oral Iron in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

    NCT03991169 · start 2019-04-19

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03991169
    Conditions
    Chronic Kidney Insufficiency; Chronic Kidney Diseases
    Interventions
    Ferrous Sulfate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2019-04-19
    Completion
    2028-12-31
    Enrolment
    40

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionChronic Kidney Insufficiency; Chronic Kidney Diseases
    InterventionFerrous Sulfate
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusRecruiting
  • Amino Acid Chelated Iron Versus Ferrous Fumarate in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia With Pregnancy: Randomized Controlled Trial

    NCT03830034 · start 2019-02-02

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03830034
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia
    Interventions
    Amino Acid chelated iron tab 15 mg; Ferrous Fumarate tab 350 mg( 115 mg elemental iron)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2019-02-02
    Completion
    2019-12-01
    Enrolment
    150

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia
    InterventionAmino Acid chelated iron tab 15 mg; Ferrous Fumarate tab 350 mg( 115 mg elemental iron)
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Intravenous Infusions of Ferumoxytol Compared to Oral Ferrous Sulfate for the Treatment of Anemia in Pregnancy

    NCT03657433 · start 2018-12-17

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03657433
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    Interventions
    Ferrous sulfate 325mg; Ferumoxytol
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2018-12-17
    Completion
    2022-04-01
    Enrolment
    124

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    InterventionFerrous sulfate 325mg; Ferumoxytol
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Iron Bioavailability of High Surface Area Ferric Phosphate

    NCT03660462 · start 2018-11-21

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03660462
    Conditions
    Iron-deficiency
    Interventions
    FeSO4 fortified rice test meal; FePO4 fortified rice test meal; HiFePO4 1 fortified rice test meal; HiFePO4 2 fortified rice test meal
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2018-11-21
    Completion
    2019-07-19
    Enrolment
    18

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron-deficiency
    InterventionFeSO4 fortified rice test meal; FePO4 fortified rice test meal; HiFePO4 1 fortified rice test meal; HiFePO4 2 fortified rice test meal
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Eradication of H-pylori in Pregnancy and Its Effect on Iron Replacement Therapy?

    NCT03347513 · start 2017-11-25

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03347513
    Conditions
    Pregnancy Complications; Anemia, Iron Deficiency; H Pylori Infection
    Interventions
    triple attack therapy; Ferrous(II)-glycine-sulphate complex 567.7 mg capsules
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2017-11-25
    Completion
    2019-05
    Enrolment
    150

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPregnancy Complications; Anemia, Iron Deficiency; H Pylori Infection
    Interventiontriple attack therapy; Ferrous(II)-glycine-sulphate complex 567.7 mg capsules
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Lactoferrin Versus Ferrous Sulphate for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy

    NCT03456258 · start 2017-09-05

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03456258
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    Interventions
    Complete blood count
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2017-09-05
    Completion
    2018-01-15
    Enrolment
    100

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    InterventionComplete blood count
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Lactoferrin Versus Ferrous Sulphate for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia During Pregnancy

    NCT03481790 · start 2017-09-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03481790
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    Interventions
    Lactoferrin; ferrous sulphate + folic acid (vitamin B9)
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2017-09-01
    Completion
    2018-03-05
    Enrolment
    200

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    InterventionLactoferrin; ferrous sulphate + folic acid (vitamin B9)
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusCompleted
  • Intravenous Iron Isomaltoside 1000 (Monofer®) Compared With Oral Iron in the Treatment of Postgastrectomy Anemia: An Open-label Randomized Controlled Trial

    NCT03229954 · start 2017-08-28

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03229954
    Conditions
    Post Gastrectomy Anemia
    Interventions
    iron isomaltoside (Monofer) intravenous infusion; Ferrous sulfate(Feroba-YOU) per oral
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2017-08-28
    Completion
    2019-04
    Enrolment
    358

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionPost Gastrectomy Anemia
    Interventioniron isomaltoside (Monofer) intravenous infusion; Ferrous sulfate(Feroba-YOU) per oral
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusUnknown
  • Buxue Yimu Pills for Gynecological Iron-Deficiency Anemia

    NCT03232554 · start 2017-06-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03232554
    Conditions
    Iron-Deficiency Anemia
    Interventions
    Buxue Yimu Pills; Buxue Yimu Pills &Ferrous Sulfate; Ferrous Sulfate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 2
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2017-06-01
    Completion
    2019-02-28
    Enrolment
    180

    As stored from ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration describes a study; it does not mean the study worked.

    ConditionIron-Deficiency Anemia
    InterventionBuxue Yimu Pills; Buxue Yimu Pills &Ferrous Sulfate; Ferrous Sulfate
    PhasePhase 2
    Registry statusUnknown