What Are Antifolate Drugs

Listen to pronunciation. (AN-tee-FOH-layt) A type of drug that stops cells from using folic acid to make DNA and may kill cancer cells. Certain antifolates are used to treat some types of cancer and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Is methotrexate an antifolate?

Methotrexate is an antifolate and antimetabolite originally developed to treat malignancy. In the setting of RA, it is given at much lower doses than when given as an anticancer agent. The usual dose is 7.5 to 25 mg per week given as a single dose orally.

Is atovaquone an antifolate?

The proguanil-atovaquone combination has a synergistic effect, although atovaquone, acting on mitochondrial electron transport system, is not an antifolate drug and the mechanism of synergism is still poorly understood.