FOLIC ACID

Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussel’s sprouts, and spinach.

Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.

As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and problems brought by it like anemia (lack of red blood cells)

Folic acid is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat pernicious 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.

Don’t use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.

If any of the following side effects occur while taking folic acid, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

  • Fever
  • general weakness or discomfort
  • reddened skin
  • shortness of breath
  • skin rash or itching
  • tightness in chest
  • troubled breathing
  • wheezing

Precautions

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:

  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
  • 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.

 

Interactions

Be cautious with this combination

Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) interacts with FOLIC ACID

Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) is used for seizures. The body breaks down fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) to get rid of it. Folic acid can increase how quickly the body breaks down fosphenytoin (Cerebyx). Taking folic acid along with fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) might decrease the effectiveness of fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) for preventing seizures.

Methotrexate (MTX, Rheumatrex) interacts with FOLIC ACID

Methotrexate (MTX, Rheumatrex) works by decreasing the effects of folic acid in the body’s cells. Taking folic acid pills along with methotrexate might decrease the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX, Rheumatrex).

Phenobarbital (Luminal) interacts with FOLIC ACID

Phenobarbital (Luminal) is used for seizures. Taking folic acid can decrease how well phenobarbital (Luminal) works for preventing seizures.

Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with FOLIC ACID

The body breaks down phenytoin (Dilantin) to get rid of it. Folic acid might increase how quickly the body breaks down phenytoin (Dilantin). Taking folic acid and taking phenytoin (Dilantin) might decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin (Dilantin) and increase the possibility of seizures.

Primidone (Mysoline) interacts with FOLIC ACID

Primidone (Mysoline) is used for seizures. Folic acid might cause seizure in some people. Taking folic acid can along with primidone (Mysoline) might decrease how well primidone works for preventing seizures.

Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) interacts with FOLIC ACID

Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) is used to treat parasite infections. Folic acid might decrease the effectiveness of pyrimethamine (Daraprim) for treating parasite infections.

The adequate intakes (AI) for infants are 65 mcg for infants 0-6 months and 80 mcg for infants 7-12 months of age. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for folate in DFE, including both food folate and folic acid from fortified foods and supplements are: Children 1-3 years, 150 mcg; Children 4-8 years, 200 mcg; Children 9-13 years, 300 mcg; Adults over 13 years, 400 mcg; Pregnant women 600 mcg; and breast-feeding women, 500 mcg. The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) of folate are 300 mcg for children 1-3 years of age, 400 mcg for children 4-8 years, 600 mcg for children 9-13 years, 800 mcg for adolescents 14-18 years, and 1000 mcg for everyone over 18 years of age.

 

Available brands:

  • Amino-Max (International Apex)
  • Amino Vita (S V More)
  • Centrum
  • Cecon Zinc
  • Enervon 33

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