Possible Interaction: Metformin and Folate

“Some aspects of the response to folate may be different in patients on metformin.”

“In conclusion, metformin treatment increased tHcy levels and decreased levels of vitamin B12 and folate.”

“Additionally, unbiased metabolomics studies have provided strong evidence to support that metformin alters the methionine and folate cycles, with a concomitant decrease in nucleotide synthesis.”

“The authors probed potential bacterial metabolic pathways whose disruption is known to increase longevity and found that metformin reduced the amount of bioavailable folate.”

“We report that metformin increases lifespan by altering microbial folate and methionine metabolism.”

“ Metformin can decrease vitamin B12 and folate concentrations.”

“CONCLUSIONS Metformin exerts a slight but significant deleterious effect on serum Hcy levels in patients with PCOS, and supplementation with folate is useful to increase the beneficial effect of metformin on the vascular endothelium.”

“OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the administration of metformin exerts any effects on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whether supplementation with folate enhances the positive effects of metformin on the structure and function of the vascular endothelium.”

“Lowered levels of vitamin B12 and folate due to impaired gastrointestinal absorption have been documented with long-term metformin therapy,1 but clinically these effects are insignificant and do not cause anaemia.”

“ Metformin has another side effect, namely interference with vitamin B12 and folate metabolism, leading to elevated homocysteine serum levels.”