Deplin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2012

For Depression "I have had treatment-resistant depression for 20 years and have tried Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor, Paxil, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and Viibryd. Lexapro (20 mg) and Wellbutrin (300 mg XL) seem to work best but even with talk therapy, good diet, and exercise, I still have never achieved full remission. After my psych doctor retired, I switched to another who had me tested for MTHFR mutations and started me on 15mg of Deplin. Within 7 days, I felt better than I could ever remember - it was like a light switch! Test results showed I am homozygous for the C677T MTHFR mutation. I stopped taking Deplin after some agitation and anxiety started; I restarted on a lower dose before ramping up to 15 again. I have yet to see the same improvement after 3 weeks."

• GBi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For Folate Deficiency "I recently had a Dr’s visit with my Dr, who is treating me for ADD, anxiety, and depression. I told him about my daughter (19 years old) recently being diagnosed with MTHFR gene mutation. She has one from each parent. She has severe anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, depression, and was recently suicidal. Her psychiatrist ordered lab work and explained to us what MTHFR is and prescribed Deplin, antidepressant, vitamin B-12 500 mcg, and Vitamin D3 5,000 mg soft gels. She has completely changed! She feels much better. No more anxiety... no more panic attacks... no more depression... and she is smiling again!! My Dr prescribed Deplin for me too, but unfortunately my insurance company does not cover it (my ex-husband’s insurance covers it for our daughter), and I can’t afford it out-of-pocket. I’m still working on finding a way to get it, as I’m sure it will help me also. So blessed to have good doctors out there. I have so much respect for all their knowledge."

• Zar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

For Depression "I had the swab genetic test done. I lack the MTHFR gene that creates the enzyme that breaks down folic acid to folate. Without folate, depression is very likely. My doctor prescribed Deplin, as it would take 60 bottles of over-the-counter folate to equate to the convenient orange capsule. The first three weeks, my depression and anxiety got worse. My doctor wasn't helpful, but I kept taking it. I’m around week 5, and I am able to see my compulsive eating as not good for me, as I am morbidly obese. I don't feel overly happy, but more in control in a chaotic world and able to focus more. I'll chat with my doctor about getting off Lamictal once I've had a couple of months on Deplin. I am far less paranoid and explosive, but I have routine scary dreams being out of control. I can't put my finger on it, but I think I am better off with Deplin and apprehensive to go off it. This is not the placebo effect talking. I think I can lose weight and get off the bipolar meds. I pay $160 for a three-month supply."

• Zar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

For Depression "I had the swab genetic test done. I lack the MTHFR gene that creates the enzyme that breaks down folic acid to folate. Without folate, depression is very likely. My doctor prescribed Deplin, as it would take 60 bottles of over-the-counter folate to equate to the convenient orange capsule. The first three weeks, my depression and anxiety got worse. My doctor wasn't helpful, but I kept taking it. I’m around week 5, and I am able to see my compulsive eating as not good for me, as I am morbidly obese. I don't feel overly happy, but more in control in a chaotic world and able to focus more. I'll chat with my doctor about getting off Lamictal once I've had a couple of months on Deplin. I am far less paranoid and explosive, but I have routine scary dreams being out of control. I can't put my finger on it, but I think I am better off with Deplin and apprehensive to go off it. This is not the placebo effect talking. I think I can lose weight and get off the bipolar meds. I pay $160 for a three-month supply."

• See...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2017

For Depression "MUST take Deplin and not a generic and definitely not over-the-counter folic acid or folate! These can make things worse! My C spinal fluid showed that I have a less prominent type of folate abnormality. Wasn't detected in a gene swab test. Anyway, just started taking 15 mg as an antidepressant add-on. Made my depression & anxiety worse!!! I would stop taking it, but my doc has me taking a lower dose as she recognizes that Deplin can cause a worsening of symptoms in certain folks. It just needs to be started low and gradually increased. So, please start with a low dose if it makes you MORE anxious/depressed at 15 mg. Too early to say it helps, but the lower dose is needed to start, for some. And it may take many months to work--for some!"

• Jon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2020

For Depression "I took this for a while at the recommendation of my psychiatrist. I have the double MTHFR mutation. It did nothing for me and is prohibitively expensive. I’m not sure if I buy into their MTHFR serotonin theory, but it seems to work for some. For me, I would get these weird sensations in my hands and feet, almost like they were heavier or more sensitive, and I felt like my sleep was less restful (even I got 8 hours consistently) because I was always tired. It made me feel off as well, but I assume that is just depression medication in general."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2022

For Depression "I took Deplin during a former depressive episode, but in a much smaller dose. I cannot say if it helped with the effects of depression. During this episode, my doctor recommended taking 15 mg. I was taking Deplin for 3 months. I was having unbearable anxiety and began looking carefully at the side effects of my meds. Deplin can cause severe anxiety, along with other negative side effects. There is an article online called ‘Anxiety Nutrition Solutions’ by Trudy Scott with Dr. Benjamin Lynch. He is a major supporter of methyl folate. He talks in the article about the different side effects patients can experience on Deplin, severe anxiety among them. If you’re taking Deplin and are feeling anxiety, please read."

• LUR...
• August 9, 2016

"Prescribed for my young daughter with autism and epilepsy, anxiety - hair pulling, but the dose was too high and caused even more anxiety, so found reducing it from every day to once a week, and sometimes just twice a month makes a huge difference for her to receive the benefit without the heightened anxiety. I muscle test for the amount and timing, and notice when she is pulling her eyelashes, hair, or eyebrows."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2009

For Depression "I am heartened by the 6 reviews. I have just started on Deplin. I have been on Remeron for two years. I cannot tolerate serotonin-type medicines such as Prozac and Lexapro. Remeron worked beautifully at first, but the effects have slowly worn off, and my anxiety and mild depression returned. I pray Deplin will work for me and I can regain my enthusiasm and joy in life. I am happy for those of you who have been helped. Wish me luck."

• Amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2022

For Depression "I started taking Deplin along with my other meds for depressive disorder and CPTSD. It may have boosted my energy, but it caused extreme anxiety. I haven’t felt as panicky while out in public in years as I did while taking Deplin. The anxiety stopped once I stopped taking it."

• Lsk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2016

For Depression "Terrible! I was on it 3 days while also on Viibryd, and it caused me SEVERE anxiety. I was found to have a compound heterozygous gene mutation, and the psychiatrist thought this should help. Wrong. I also found out through the gene test I cannot take SSRIs. Viibryd is a hybrid SSRI. The combination was bad news for me, and I had to stop the AD cold turkey because the blast of Deplin apparently caused me serotonin overload. Still struggling 4 weeks later. From what I've researched, L-methyl folate should be started at SMALL doses, like 400 mg, NOT 15 mg (Deplin). Lord!"