Folinic acid vs. Folic acid: What’s the difference?

Spend & Save: Get $15 OFF when you spend $120+ and use code MOVE* Ends Sunday!Shop now

User
Cart
$0.00

Folinic acid vs. Folic acid: what’s the difference?

Healthylife Pharmacy28 September 2015|4 min read

Folic acid and folinic acid are both forms of vitamin B9 and are classified as folates. Folinic acid (5-formyltetrahydrofolate) is an active form in the group of vitamins known as folates. It occurs naturally in a number of different foods, whereas folic acid is a synthetic form of folate. 

Folates are required by the human body to perform many functions, including cell division, growth, and the generation of red blood cells. Although folinic acid is pharmaceutically different to folic acid, both work in reasonably similar ways to each other.

People who do not have enough folic acid or folinic acid are classified as being folate deficient, and this may cause a number of side effects such as mouth sores, stomach problems (such as nausea or abdominal pain), liver problems, or problems in regards to the generation of new blood cells.

What is folinic acid used for?

Megaloblastic anaemia. Folinic acid may be used in the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia when a folic acid deficiency has been noted.

Cancer. Folinic acid is regularly used as a supplement to treat a number of different types of cancer, as well as an antidote to the effects of certain drugs used in chemotherapy.

What is folic acid used for?

Cancer. Folic acid is also used similarly in a range of treatments for cancer. As with folinic acid, folic acid is also used as an adjuvant to a number of chemotherapy regimens. 

Pregnancy. Folic acid supplements may be taken before and during pregnancy to help the development of the unborn child. It is important for the treatment of anaemia, and deficiencies in unborn babies may result in neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Crohn’s disease. Folic acid supplements may also be used in the treatment of severe Crohn’s disease.

Folinic acid vs folic acid

Folinic acid and folic acid, while related, have distinct properties and applications according to various peer-reviewed studies. There is a limited amount of evidence regarding the comparative use of both types of folate. 

Folic acid is well-recognised for reducing the risk of neural tube defects in pregnancy. Folinic acid, on the other hand, has been studied for similar purposes, with research exploring whether it could be an alternative to folic acid for this application​.

A Cochrane review indicated that both folic and folinic acid could reduce the side effects of methotrexate, a medication used for rheumatoid arthritis. This includes a significant reduction in gastrointestinal side effects and hepatic dysfunction​. 

At the time of writing, there is little available evidence regarding whether folic or folinic acid is the most clinically efficacious supplement in the treatment of a number of different illnesses. Some individuals may require methylfolate (5-MTHF) which is the active form. As such, it’s best to discuss your individual circumstances with your healthcare professional so they can recommend the best option for you. 

Related Reads:

References

  1. National Institutes of Health. (2022, November 30). Office of Dietary Supplements - Folate. Nih.gov; National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/ 
  2. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pregnancy-care-guidelines/part-c-lifestyle-considerations/nutrition-and-physical-activity 
  3. Gristan, Y. D., & Moosavi, L. (2022). Folinic Acid. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545232/#:~:text=Folinic%20acid%20is%20a%20medication,the%20chemotherapy%20class%20of%20medications
  4. Ratajczak, A. E., Szymczak-Tomczak, A., Rychter, A. M., Zawada, A., Dobrowolska, A., & Krela-Kaźmierczak, I. (2021). Does Folic Acid Protect Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease from Complications? Nutrients, 13(11), 4036. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618862/ 
  5. F, S., & G, P. (2014, May 1). Folate, Folic Acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate Are Not the Same Thing. Xenobiotica; the Fate of Foreign Compounds in Biological Systems./https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24494987/
  6. Shea B, Swinden MV, Tanjong Ghogomu E, Ortiz Z, Katchamart W, Rader T, Bombardier C, Wells GA, Tugwell P. Folic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects in patients receiving methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD000951. https://www.cochrane.org/CD000951/MUSKEL_folic-acid-or-folinic-acid-for-reducing-side-effects-of-methotrexate-for-people-with-rheumatoid-arthritis