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Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is normally found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.
Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.
As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.
Folic acid is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat pernicious, aplastic, or normocytic anemia. However it will not treat Vitamin B12 deficiency and will not prevent possible damage to the spinal cord. Take all of your medications as directed.
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.
Before you take folic acid, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), an infection, if you are an alcoholic, or if you have any type of anemia that has not been diagnosed by a doctor and confirmed with laboratory testing.
Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Folic acid is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. However, folic acid will not treat Vitamin B12 deficiency and will not prevent possible damage to the spinal cord. Take all of your medications as directed.
You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use folic acid:
hemolytic anemia;
pernicious anemia;
anemia that has not been diagnosed by a doctor and confirmed with laboratory testing;
an infection; or
if you are an alcoholic.
FDA pregnancy category A. Folic acid is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, and your dose needs may even increase while you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid during pregnancy. Your dose needs may also be different if you are breast-feeding a baby. Ask your doctor about taking folic acid if you are breast-feeding.
Take folic acid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take folic acid with a full glass of water.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Store folic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling, mouth or tongue pain, weakness, tired feeling confusion, or trouble concentrating.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely, but may include:
flushing;
nausea, loss of appetite;
bloating, gas;
bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
sleep problems;
depression; or
feeling excited or irritable.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose for Megaloblastic Anemia:
1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day. May continue until clinical symptoms of folate deficiency and the hematological profile have normalized.
Usual Adult Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:
400 to 800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
Women of childbearing age, pregnant, and lactating women: 800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:
Infant:
0.1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
Child:
Initial dose: 1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
Maintenance dose:
1 to 10 years: 0.1 to 0.4 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
> 10 years: 0.5 orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
The dosages of other medications you take may need to be changed while you are taking folic acid.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
raltitrexed;
phenytoin (Dilantin);
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid);
pyrimethamine (Daraprim);
tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Sumycin);
a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton); or
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or primidone (Mysoline).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with folic acid. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use folic acid only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Folic Acid (www.drugs.com/folic_acid.html).
Applies to folic acid: capsule, solution, tablet
Along with its needed effects, folic acid may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking folic acid:
Rare
Applies to folic acid: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral tablet
Rare (less than 0.1%): Mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, abdominal distension, flatulence
Nausea, abdominal distension, and flatulence were reported in patients taking 15 mg folic acid daily for 1 month.
Bitter or bad taste, altered sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, overactivity, and impaired judgement were reported in patients taking 15 mg folic acid daily for 1 month.
Increased seizure incidence was seen in some epileptic patients receiving phenobarbital, primidone, or diphenylhydantoin.
Frequency not reported: Bitter or bad taste, altered sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, overactivity, impaired judgement, increased incidence of seizures in some epileptic patients
Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic responses (including erythema, skin rash, itching, general malaise, respiratory difficulty due to bronchospasm), anaphylaxis (including shock)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anorexia
Frequency not reported: Decreased vitamin B12 serum levels, worsening symptoms of B12 deficiency
Anorexia was reported in patients taking 15 mg folic acid daily for 1 month.
Decreased vitamin B12 serum levels was reported with prolonged folic acid therapy.
Frequency not reported: Decreased diphenylhydantoin serum levels
Decreased diphenylhydantoin serum levels were reported in patients taking 5 or 15 mg folic acid daily.
Irritability, excitement, mental depression, and confusion were reported in patients taking 15 mg folic acid daily for 1 month.
Frequency not reported: Irritability, excitement, mental depression, confusion
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Folic Acid (www.drugs.com/folic_acid.html).
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