Folic Acid
About
Folic Acid belongs to a class of medications called 'vitamins' used to treat or prevent anaemia (lack of blood) caused due to deficiency of folic acid, anaemia in pregnancy, anaemia due to damaged red blood cells, anaemia in kidney dialysis patients and anaemia that occurs as a side effect of certain medicines. Folic Acid may be used in women before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida (abnormality of the spine) in babies. Anaemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry the adequate oxygen required to various body tissues.
The Folic Acid contains Folic acid (a form of vitamin B9) that increases healthy red blood cell (RBC) production in the body that carries oxygen throughout the body. As a result, an adequate amount of haemoglobin (Hb) is produced in the body so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen.
Take Folic Acid as recommended by your doctor. You may experience nausea, black stool, constipation, loss of appetite, bloating or flatulence (gas) in some cases. Most of these side effects of Folic Acid do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Folic Acid or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before using Folic Acid. Folic Acid should be used with caution in children and only if recommended by a doctor. If you have an allergy to any sugars, inform your doctor before taking Folic Acid as it may contain lactose. If you have a stomach ulcer, vitamin B12 deficiency, any blood disorder, repeated blood transfusions, ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon), pernicious anaemia (anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12) or folate-dependent tumour, inform your doctor before taking Folic Acid.
Uses of Folic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
The Folic Acid contains Folic acid (a form of vitamin B9) that increases red blood cells (RBC) production in the body that carries oxygen around the body. As a result, an adequate number of RBCs is produced in the body, so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen. Also, folic acid is necessary for pregnancy as it plays a role in developing the brain and spinal cord in the unborn baby. Additionally, Folic Acid may be used to decrease the adverse effects of methotrexate (a drug used to treat severe arthritis, psoriasis, or Crohn’s disease).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Folic Acid
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Flatulence (gas)
- Bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Feeling excited or irritable
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Folic Acid or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Folic Acid if you have cancer. Folic Acid should be used with caution in children and only if recommended by a doctor. If you are breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before using Folic Acid. If you have pernicious anaemia (anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12), a tumour or if you are receiving a stent in the heart or undergoing haemodialysis due to kidney failure, inform your doctor before taking Folic Acid. You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Folic Acid and indigestion remedies such as antacids containing magnesium or aluminium and edible clay. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any sugars as Folic Acid contains lactose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Folic Acid may have interaction with anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin), antibiotics (trimethoprim), high cholesterol-lowering medicine (cholestyramine), anti-inflammatory drugs (sulfasalazine), anticancer drug (fluorouracil).
Drug-Food Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any zinc supplements or medicines containing zinc.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid taking Folic Acid if you have cancer. If you have pernicious anaemia (anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12), tumour or if you are receiving a stent in the heart or undergoing haemodialysis due to kidney failure, inform your doctor before taking Folic Acid.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Folic Acid as it may decrease the absorption of Folic Acid. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Folic Acid.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIt is safe to be used Folic Acid in Pregnancy. However, do not use this medicine without first consulting a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionFolic Acid may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
not applicableFolic Acid usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Folic Acid with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Folic Acid with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Inform your doctor if you are undergoing haemodialysis.
Children
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Folic Acid in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet, especially green leafy vegetables, and do regular physical exercise.
- Limit junk food items from outside and stick to freshly prepared home-cooked meals.
- Eat cabbage, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, kale, brussels sprouts, lentils, peas, and beans. Also include beef and yeast extracts, poultry, liver, shellfish, and pork.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol.
Special Advise
You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Folic Acid and indigestion remedies such as antacids containing magnesium or aluminum and edible clay.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anemia: It is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells for carrying adequate oxygen to various body tissues. Anemia can be temporary, which can be treated with the help of supplements, and it can also be long-term, which might require medical procedures. It makes you feel tired very quickly due to a lack of oxygen supply in the body. It is one of the most common blood disorders.
Folate deficiency: The deficiency of folic acid in the body is known as folate deficiency. It generally occurs when your diet does not have sufficient food that has more folic acid (citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables). Folate deficiency, if left untreated, can lead to anemia.
FAQs
Folic Acid contains Folic acid (a form of vitamin B9) that works by increasing red blood cells (RBC) production in the body that carries oxygen around the body. As a result, an adequate number of RBCs is produced in the body, so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen.
Folic Acid may cause bloating as a mild and temporary side effect. You are advised to eat and drink slowly, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and exercise regularly to avoid bloating. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
You are not recommended to take Folic Acid with phenytoin as co-administration of these two medicines may reduce the levels of Folic Acid in blood and increase the risk of seizures (fits). However, if you are supposed to use these medicines together, please consult a doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately to use safely.
Folic Acid should be used with caution and in doses as advised by a doctor in dialysis patients or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. However, it is advised to inform your doctor if you are undergoing dialysis before taking Folic Acid.
Folic Acid is recommended during pregnancy to maintain correct levels of folic acid and reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida (abnormality of the spine) in babies, usually caused due to folic acid deficiency. Folic Acid helps in the development of the brain and spinal cord in the unborn baby. However, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before using Folic Acid.
