Folic Acid and Pafolacianine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Folic Acid
Pafolacianine
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Reduced detection of malignant lesions
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements with pafolacianine may reduce binding of pafolacianine to folate receptors overexpressed on ovarian cancer cells and could reduce the detection of malignant lesions. Avoid administration of folate, folic acid, or folate-containing supplements within 48 hours before administration of pafolacianine1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Reduced binding of pafolacianine to folate receptors overexpressed on ovarian cancer cells
Common questions
Can I take Folic Acid and Pafolacianine together?
Reduced detection of malignant lesions Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Folic Acid and Pafolacianine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Folic Acid or Pafolacianine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: CYTALUX(TM) intravenous injection, pafolacianine intravenous injection. On Target Laboratories (per FDA), West Lafayette, IN, 2021. DailyMed
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