L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium
About
L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium belongs to the class of 'nutritional supplements' primarily used to treat folate deficiency (low levels of folate) and anaemia (lack of red blood cells). It is useful in treating low folate levels caused due to poor diet, pregnancy, alcoholism, and other disease conditions.
L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium contains L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium, a member of the folate group of vitamins (Vitamin B9). Folate is a water-soluble Vitamin B naturally found in food sources. It helps in forming red blood cells and treats low folate levels and anaemia. It also prevents DNA changes that may lead to cancer. It also has extended benefits for major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. Sometimes, L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium may have common side effects like nausea, stomach upset, confusion, and sleeplessness. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time.
Let your doctor know if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications, including other vitamins, before starting L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium or other medicines. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a history of liver, heart, or kidney diseases and a scheduled surgery. It is essential to let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. Avoid consuming alcohol along with L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium to ensure maximum absorption of nutrients. L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium should be used in children only when the doctor has advised.
Uses of L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium
Medicinal Benefits
L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium contains L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium, a member of the folate group of vitamins (Vitamin B9). Folate is a water-soluble Vitamin B naturally found in food sources. It helps in forming red blood cells and treats low folate levels and anemia. It also prevents DNA changes that may lead to cancer. It prevents neural tube defects, and hyperhomocysteinemia (high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid) caused due to low folate levels. It also has extended benefits for major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. It enhances the action of anti-depressant medicines when taken as an adjuvant therapy during major depressive disorder.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Confusion
- Sleeplessness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have heart-related disorders, liver/kidney diseases, pernicious anaemia/vitamin B12 deficiency, fits, bipolar disorder, or a scheduled surgery before starting L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a breastfeeding mother before starting L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. There is limited data on how L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium affects alcohol intake or your driving ability; hence it is advised to consult your doctor before using this medicine. L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium should not be given to children unless a doctor has prescribed it.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications, including other vitamins and herbal products, before starting L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium.
Drug-Food Interaction: Please avoid alcohol while using L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium to ensure maximum absorption of nutrients.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Use L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium with medical advice if you have heart-related disorders, liver/kidney diseases, pernicious anaemia/vitamin B12 deficiency, fits, bipolar disorder, and allergic reactions to medicines.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit/avoid alcohol intake to ensure maximum absorption of nutrients.
Pregnancy
cautionL 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium should be used during pregnancy only when advised by your doctor. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before taking L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before taking L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown whether L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium affects your ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. Your dosage may be adjusted in case of liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. Your dosage may be adjusted in case of renal impairment.
Children
cautionThe doctor will decide whether L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium can be given to the child or not. The dosage of L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium depends on the child's age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try Vitamin B complex food sources like milk, cheese, eggs, liver and kidney, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, salmon, shellfish, oysters, clams, dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, beets, avocados, potatoes, whole grains, cereals, kidney beans, black beans, and chickpea.
- Try folate-rich food sources like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid.
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds over your food, vegetables and salads.
- 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
Clinical monitoring of iron and folic acid through blood examinations is recommended.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Folate deficiency: Folate deficiency occurs when your body won't have enough folate in your diet. Symptoms include fatigue, grey hair, mouth sores, tongue swelling, and growth problems. Folate deficiency leads to anaemia.
Anaemia: It is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to various body tissues. It makes you tired very quickly due to a lack of oxygen supply in the body. It is one of the most common blood disorders. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, brittle nails, and pale skin.
FAQs
L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium is a nutritional supplement and consists of L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. It replenishes the low levels of folate, thus treating anaemia. It is useful during pregnancy and prevents the risk of neural tube defects in infants. It is also useful in major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Avoid taking more than one multivitamin product concomitantly unless advised by the doctor. Taking similar nutritional supplements simultaneously can lead to a vitamin overdose or other side effects. Discuss with your doctor the vitamins you already take before you are prescribed any other supplements.
It is not known if the antacids interfere with the absorption of L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium. It is advised to take L 5 Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium two hours before or four hours after taking antacids.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage.
