folate antagonist

A folate antagonist is a type of medication that blocks the action of folate, a vitamin essential for DNA production and cell growth. By inhibiting folate, these drugs slow or stop the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells or bacteria. They are used to treat certain cancers, like leukemia, and bacterial infections. Because they interfere with cell growth, they can also affect healthy cells, which can lead to side effects. Examples include methotrexate and trimethoprim.