Folic Acid

What is Folic Acid?

Folic Acid is a B-complex vitamin that is found naturally in beets, liver, whole-wheat products, lentils, asparagus, broccoli, oranges, peas, dried beans, and spinach. This vitamin is essential to form healthy cells, especially RBCs (Red Blood Cells).

What is Folic Acid used for?

Folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency. It is used to prevent or treat certain kinds of anemia caused by liver disease, poor diet, alcoholism, pregnancy, kidney dialysis, stomach or intestinal problems.

It is also used to relieve symptoms associated with anemia, like diarrhea and unusual tiredness. It may also be used with other medications for the treatment of pernicious anemia. However, it is to be noted that folic acid does not treat deficiency of Vitamin B12.

How does Folic Acid work?

Folic Acid helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and aids in averting DNA changes preventing these cells from becoming malignant.

How to use Folic Acid

Take Folic Acid tablets as per the doctor’s prescription.

Take the tablet with a full glass of water on a partly full stomach.

Do not take folic acid in more quantities or for a longer period than what is recommended by the doctor.

Do not change the dose without asking your doctor.

Folic Acid warnings and precautions

Do not take Folic acid if you have ever experienced a severe reaction after consuming it.

Before taking this medicine, inform the doctor about your medical condition, especially if you have had pernicious anemia, kidney disease, unconfirmed anemia, alcohol cirrhosis, epilepsy, hemolytic anemia.

Although Folic acid is unlikely to cause harm to an unborn or nursing baby, pregnant and lactating women should consult their doctors, before taking this medication.

What do I do if I have missed a Folic Acid dose?

If you have missed a Folic Acid dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. You are advised not to double up the dose to catch up.

What do I do if I have taken a Folic Acid overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Folic Acid, consult your doctor. Over dose of Folic Acid may be indicated by loss of appetite, diarrhea, bloating in the stomach, and/or gas.

Folic Acid interactions

There are some medicines which are known to interact with Folic Acid. These include antibiotics like chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin, pyrimethamine, Methotrexate sulfasalazine, phenyton, primidone, tetra cycline medicines, barbiturates like secobarbital, pentobarbital, butabarbital and phenobarbital.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and non prescription drugs, herbal medicines, and diet aids that you were using before having Folic Acid. This will help the doctor decide on the exact nature of your medical condition and prescribe the dose accordingly to avoid any interactions with other medicines.

Check the ingredients of all the medicines you will take, to see if there is a drug that contains Folic Acid.

Folic Acid side effects

If you experience any kind of swelling on your face, throat, lips and tongue; breathing trouble, hives and itchy rash, contact your doctor immediately and report to him these side effects of Folic Acid.

Less serious and rare side effects from Folic Acid may include anorexia, nausea, loss of appetite, bitter and unpleasant taste in the mouth, bloating, gas, insomnia, diarrhea, erythema, depression, sudden excitement or irritability, lack of hand-eye coordination, numbness in the fingers and toes, and difficulty in walking. Inform your doctor if any of these Folic Acid side effects persist.