Folic Acid+methylcobalamin
About
Folic Acid+methylcobalamin belongs to the class of 'multivitamins' primarily used to treat nutritional deficiencies due to various complications or long term disease. It is used to treat and prevent folate deficiency, anaemia (lack of red blood cells), vitamin B12 deficiency and neurological diseases such as peripheral neuropathy (nerve disorder) and seizures (fits).
Folic Acid+methylcobalamin contains folic acid and methylcobalamin. Folic acid (vitamin B9) replenishes the deficient folic acid in the body. It helps in the production of healthy red blood cells and DNA. Methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) regulates body functions like cell growth, blood formation and protein synthesis. It also prevents nerve damage by forming a protective layer (myelin) around the nerves.
You should take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Folic Acid+methylcobalamin are diarrhoea, loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea (feeling sick) and bloating. These side-effects are mild and don’t require medical attention. However, inform your doctor if any of these side-effects persist or get worsen.
Do not take Folic Acid+methylcobalamin if you are allergic to any of its contents. Before taking Folic Acid+methylcobalamin, inform your doctor if you are taking any prescription, non-prescription medicines, herbal products or dietary supplements. Inform your doctor if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food), cancer, kidney dialysis, optic nerve damage, hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) and stent in the heart. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Uses of Folic Acid+methylcobalamin
Medicinal Benefits
Folic Acid+methylcobalamin is a combination of two medicines: Folic acid (vitamin B9) and Methylcobalamin (vitamin B12). Together, Folic Acid+methylcobalamin is used as a 'vitamin or nutritional supplement' in the treatment of folate deficiency anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcoholic neuropathy, pernicious anaemia (red blood cells are not produced due to Vitamin B12 deficiency), diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels), seizures (fits) and multiple sclerosis (immune system disease affecting the brain).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Folic Acid+methylcobalamin
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Upset stomach
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Bloating
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Folic Acid+methylcobalamin, inform your doctor if you have diabetes, cancer, obesity, neural tube defects, kidney problems, hypokalemia (low levels of potassium), and optic nerve damage. Do not take antacids before or after 2 hours of taking Folic Acid+methylcobalamin as they may interfere with the action of Folic Acid+methylcobalamin. Do not consume excess alcohol while using Folic Acid+methylcobalamin as it may interfere with the drug absorption in the body.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Folic Acid+methylcobalamin may interact with an antibiotic (chloramphenicol), anticancer agent (methotrexate and fluorouracil), anti-gout medicine (colchicine), antacids (cimetidine, omeprazole, lansoprazole, and ranitidine), a medicine used to treat diabetes (metformin), a medicine used to treat inflammatory bowel conditions (sulfasalazine), a medicine used to reduce cholesterol (cholestyramine), and antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin and fosphenytoin).
Drug-food interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-disease interactions: Folic Acid+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in patients with malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food), cancer, neural tube defects, kidney dialysis, optic nerve damage, diabetes, obesity, hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) and stent in the heart.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol may increase the risk of side-effects. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Pregnancy
cautionFolic Acid+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in pregnant women as it may cause birth defects. Please consult the doctor before taking medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionFolic Acid+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Driving
safe if prescribedFolic Acid+methylcobalamin may not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionIf u have or had history or evidence of any Liver related diseases. Please consult the doctor before taking medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Kidney
cautionFolic Acid+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Please consult the doctor before taking medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
cautionFolic Acid+methylcobalamin should be used with caution in children, unless prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try Vitamin B complex food sources like milk, cheese, eggs, liver and kidney, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, and salmon, shellfish, oysters, clams, dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, beets, avocados, and potatoes, whole grains, cereals, kidney beans, black beans, and chickpea.
- Include fruits like citrus, banana, and watermelon in your diet.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid excess fatty foods.
Special Advise
- Serum levels of Cyanocobalamin present in Folic Acid+methylcobalamin may be lowered by use of oral contraceptives.
- For pernicious anaemia, the blood picture must be examined regularly.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Folic acid deficiency: It is the lack of vitamin B9 or folic acid in the body. Folic acid is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include mouth sores and fatigue.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: When your body doesn't have adequate mineral levels called vitamin B12 and low haemoglobin required for red blood cells formation. Signs and symptoms of low vitamin B12 include fatigue, breathlessness, numbness, poor balance and memory trouble.
FAQs
Folic Acid+methylcobalamin contains folic acid (vitamin B9) and methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) act as nutritional supplements and replenish the deficient nutrients essential for the normal functioning of the body.
Folic Acid+methylcobalamin may not interact with pain killers. However, consult your doctor before taking any medicines with Folic Acid+methylcobalamin to avoid any unwanted effects.
The side-effects of Folic Acid+methylcobalamin mild and temporary. They include diarrhoea, loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea (feeling sick) and bloating.
The sources of vitamin B12 are animal products such as meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk and other milk products such as yoghurt and cheese.
Folic acid deficiency occurs when there is inadequate folic acid in the body. You can overcome this deficiency by taking whole-grain foods, poultry, vegetables such as spinach, brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, peas, lentils and oranges, which are good sources of folic acid.
