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AMR Drug RepurposingSmart Screeningresearch prototype

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 M. tuberculosis, MRSA, E. coli and K. pneumoniae. 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
Open Folic Acid in ChEMBL Registered studies below
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.

  • Oral Iron for the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in SGLT2i-Treated Heart Failure Patients

    NCT07708025 · start 2025-09-20

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07708025
    Conditions
    Heart Failure; Anemia
    Interventions
    Oral iron supplementation
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2025-09-20
    Completion
    2026-03-15
    Enrolment
    55

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

    ConditionHeart Failure; Anemia
    InterventionOral iron supplementation
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted

  • The Benefit in Terms of Improvement in Haemoglobin Level at 6 Months in Premature Babies Receiving Alternate Iron Substitution 4 Times a Week Compared to a Daily Substitution

    NCT06624709 · start 2024-11-02

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06624709
    Conditions
    Premature Birth
    Interventions
    Iron Supplement
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2024-11-02
    Completion
    2027-05
    Enrolment
    160

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

    ConditionPremature Birth
    InterventionIron Supplement
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • A Novel Iron-Based Supplement for Athletes Aged 14-17

    NCT06338787 · start 2024-06-17

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06338787
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiencies
    Interventions
    FeSC
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Active not recruiting
    Start
    2024-06-17
    Completion
    2025-12
    Enrolment
    30

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

    ConditionIron Deficiencies
    InterventionFeSC
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusActive not recruiting

  • Effects of Oral Iron Supplementation Before vs at Time of Vaccination on Immune Response in Iron Deficient Kenyan Women

    NCT06116669 · start 2023-11-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06116669
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia
    Interventions
    Iron supplementation; MenACWY vaccine; COVID-19 vaccine; Placebo; Typhim Vi vaccine
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2023-11-01
    Completion
    2024-12-31
    Enrolment
    180

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

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia
    InterventionIron supplementation; MenACWY vaccine; COVID-19 vaccine; Placebo +1 more
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusUnknown

  • Endoscopic Evaluation for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients on Antithrombotic Therapy

    NCT07089030 · start 2023-06-06

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT07089030
    Conditions
    Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding; Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Antithrombotic Therapy
    Interventions
    Standard endoscopic evaluation; Conservative Medical Management
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2023-06-06
    Completion
    2026-06-06
    Enrolment
    20

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

    ConditionObscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding; Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Antithrombotic Therapy
    InterventionStandard endoscopic evaluation; Conservative Medical Management
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Effect of Low Doses of Hypoxia-inducible Factor- Prolyl Hydroxylase Enzyme Inhibitor Plus Iron in the Treatment of Anemia in Dialysis-dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

    NCT06115421 · start 2023-05-24

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06115421
    Conditions
    Anemia in Dialysis-dependent CKD Patients
    Interventions
    Roxadustat
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2023-05-24
    Completion
    2025-01-30
    Enrolment
    72

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

    ConditionAnemia in Dialysis-dependent CKD Patients
    InterventionRoxadustat
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted

  • The Effect of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements in Reducing Anemia in Women of Reproductive Age

    NCT05682261 · start 2023-03-23

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05682261
    Conditions
    Anemia
    Interventions
    UNIMMAP-MMS; IFA; Placebo
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2023-03-23
    Completion
    2023-10-17
    Enrolment
    265

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

    ConditionAnemia
    InterventionUNIMMAP-MMS; IFA; Placebo
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted

  • Cross-over Study to Evaluate the Rate and the Extent of Iron Absorption of an ODF Iron Supplement vs an Iron Supplement in Capsules

    NCT05660200 · start 2022-11-25

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05660200
    Conditions
    Iron-deficiency
    Interventions
    IBSA Iron ODF; SiderAL® FORTE
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-11-25
    Completion
    2022-12-31
    Enrolment
    9

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

    ConditionIron-deficiency
    InterventionIBSA Iron ODF; SiderAL® FORTE
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted

  • Iron Supplementation for Geriatric Hip Fractures

    NCT05489952 · start 2022-09-15

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05489952
    Conditions
    Hip Fractures; Fragility Fracture; Osteoporotic Fractures
    Interventions
    iron sucrose and ferrous lactate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2022-09-15
    Completion
    2025-08-15
    Enrolment
    444

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

    ConditionHip Fractures; Fragility Fracture; Osteoporotic Fractures
    Interventioniron sucrose and ferrous lactate
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusUnknown

  • Steroids vs Placebo in Treatment of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

    NCT06236152 · start 2022-07-01

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT06236152
    Conditions
    Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, Cervical
    Interventions
    Ferrous sulfate; Deltacortril
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-07-01
    Completion
    2023-08-15
    Enrolment
    140

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

    ConditionTuberculous Lymphadenitis, Cervical
    InterventionFerrous sulfate; Deltacortril
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted

  • Efficacy and Safety oF FErric CarboxymalTose in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer(EFFECT-AGC)

    NCT05226169 · start 2022-04-29

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05226169
    Conditions
    Advanced Gastric Carcinoma
    Interventions
    Ferinject; Conservative management
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Recruiting
    Start
    2022-04-29
    Completion
    2026-11-30
    Enrolment
    330

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

    ConditionAdvanced Gastric Carcinoma
    InterventionFerinject; Conservative management
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusRecruiting

  • Defining the Serum Ferritin Concentration in Kenyan Women at Which the Body Senses Iron Depletion and Begins to Upregulate Iron Absorption

    NCT05266703 · start 2022-02-18

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT05266703
    Conditions
    Iron-deficiency; Ferritin Threshold; Iron Absorption; Stable Iron Isotopes
    Interventions
    Isotopically labelled iron sulfate 15mg
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2022-02-18
    Completion
    2023-06-30
    Enrolment
    1,000

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

    ConditionIron-deficiency; Ferritin Threshold; Iron Absorption; Stable Iron Isotopes
    InterventionIsotopically labelled iron sulfate 15mg
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusCompleted

  • Early Iron Exposure on the Gut Microbiota in Young Infants

    NCT03828708 · start 2021-09-28

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT03828708
    Conditions
    Infant Development
    Interventions
    Iron in infant formula
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Not applicable
    Registry status
    Unknown
    Start
    2021-09-28
    Completion
    2024-05
    Enrolment
    30

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

    ConditionInfant Development
    InterventionIron in infant formula
    PhaseNot applicable
    Registry statusUnknown

  • Iron Infusion Into a Vein Compared to Iron Tablet Taken by Mouth for Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy (IVON)

    NCT04976179 · start 2021-08-09

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04976179
    Conditions
    Iron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    Interventions
    Ferric carboxymaltose; Ferrous sulfate
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 3
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2021-08-09
    Completion
    2023-06-15
    Enrolment
    1,056

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

    ConditionIron Deficiency Anemia of Pregnancy
    InterventionFerric carboxymaltose; Ferrous sulfate
    PhasePhase 3
    Registry statusCompleted

  • A Clinical Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Intravenous Iron for the Treatment of Anemia Following Cardiac Surgery

    NCT04608539 · start 2021-05-21

    Registered record
    Registry ID
    NCT04608539
    Conditions
    Anemia Postoperative
    Interventions
    Ferric Derisomaltose; Ferrous sulfate; normal saline
    Study type
    INTERVENTIONAL
    Phase
    Phase 4
    Registry status
    Completed
    Start
    2021-05-21
    Completion
    2023-06-27
    Enrolment
    110

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

    ConditionAnemia Postoperative
    InterventionFerric Derisomaltose; Ferrous sulfate; normal saline
    PhasePhase 4
    Registry statusCompleted