Folic Acid+levocarnitine
About Folic Acid+levocarnitine
Folic Acid+levocarnitine belongs to a class of medications called nutritional supplements used to treat nutritional deficiencies. A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough nutrients from food. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for body development and the prevention of diseases.
Folic Acid+levocarnitine is a combination of two drugs: Folic acid (a form of vitamin B9) and Levocarnitine (amino acid). Folic acid works by increasing red blood cell (RBC) production in the body which carries oxygen around the body. As a result, an adequate number of RBCs are produced in the body so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen. Levocarnitine is an amino acid that works by allowing the body to utilize fats to produce energy. Carnitine is essential for energy production in the body as it enables cells to break down fats to produce energy. Thereby, it helps in treating carnitine deficiency.
Take Folic Acid+levocarnitine as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Folic Acid+levocarnitine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, bloating, or flatulence (gas). Most of these side effects of Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine if you have cancer. Folic Acid+levocarnitine should be used with caution in children and only if prescribed by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before using Folic Acid+levocarnitine. You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine and indigestion remedies such as antacids containing magnesium or aluminum and edible clay. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any sugars as Folic Acid+levocarnitine contains lactose.
Uses of Folic Acid+levocarnitine
Medicinal Benefits
Folic Acid+levocarnitine is a combination of two drugs, namely: Folic acid and Levocarnitine, used to treat nutritional deficiencies. Folic acid increases red blood cells (RBC) production in the body that carries oxygen around the body. As a result, an adequate number of RBCs are produced in the body so that body's each tissue gets a sufficient supply of oxygen. Thus, it may be 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. Levocarnitine is an amino acid that allows the body to utilize fats to produce energy. Carnitine is essential for energy production in the body as it enables cells to break down fats to produce energy. Thereby, it helps in treating carnitine deficiency. Also, Folic Acid+levocarnitine may be used in women before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida (abnormality of the spine) in babies.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Folic Acid+levocarnitine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Flatulence (gas)
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Folic Acid+levocarnitine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine if you have cancer. Folic Acid+levocarnitine should be used with caution in children and only if prescribed by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before using Folic Acid+levocarnitine. If you have pernicious anaemia (anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12), fits, kidney disease, 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+levocarnitine. You are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine contains lactose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Folic Acid+levocarnitine may have interaction with anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin), antibiotics (trimethoprim), high cholesterol-lowering medicine (cholestyramine), anti-inflammatory drug (sulfasalazine), anticancer drug (fluorouracil), blood thinners (warfarin, dicumarol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any zinc supplements or medicines containing zinc.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine if you have cancer. If you have pernicious anaemia (anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12), fits, kidney disease, 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+levocarnitine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Folic Acid+levocarnitine as it may decrease the absorption of Folic Acid+levocarnitine and cause adverse effects such as stomach cramps, headache, or nausea. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Folic Acid+levocarnitine.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Folic Acid+levocarnitine is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionFolic Acid+levocarnitine may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedFolic Acid+levocarnitine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine 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 hemodialysis.
Children
cautionFolic Acid+levocarnitine should be used with caution in children if prescribed by a doctor.
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+levocarnitine and indigestion remedies such as antacids containing magnesium or aluminum and edible clay.
- Do not take Folic Acid+levocarnitine if you have been diagnosed with Leber’s disease (hereditary eye disease) as it can seriously harm the optic (eye) nerve, which might lead to blindness.
- Heavy alcohol drinking more than 2 times per week can decrease the efficiency of Folic Acid+levocarnitine. So avoid intake of alcoholic beverages while taking treatment with Folic Acid+levocarnitine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nutritional deficiencies: A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough food nutrients. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for body development and the prevention of diseases. Sometimes your body is unable to absorb many nutrients even if you are consuming them. Nutrient deficiency can lead to many health problems like a weakened immune system, skin problems, digestion problems, defective bone growth, and neurological diseases.
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.
FAQs
Folic Acid+levocarnitine contains Folic acid and Levocarnitine. Folic acid 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 are produced in the body so that each tissue gets a sufficient oxygen supply. Levocarnitine is an amino acid that works by allowing the body to utilize fats to produce energy. Carnitine is essential for energy production in the body as it enables cells to breakdown fats to produce energy. Thereby, it helps in treating carnitine deficiency.
Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine with phenytoin as co-administration of these two medicines may reduce the levels of Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine should be used with caution and in doses as advised by a doctor in dialysis patients with kidney failure. However, it is advised to inform your doctor if you are undergoing dialysis before taking Folic Acid+levocarnitine.
Folic Acid+levocarnitine may be prescribed 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 that is usually caused due to folic acid deficiency. Folic Acid+levocarnitine 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+levocarnitine.
