Medicines/Generics/Folic Acid

Folic Acid

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

Spot an error in this entry? Submit a correction

Overview

Folic acid is a vitamin B9 supplement used to prevent serious birth defects in pregnant women or women who think they may be pregnant, reducing high levels of homocysteine, and preventing and treating megaloblastic anemias from folate deficiency caused by medications or other reasons. Vitamin B9 (folate, folic acid) plays a crucial role in healthy red blood cell production and is also vital for cell growth, repair, and DNA synthesis. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, and folate deficiency can lead to a type of anemia called folate-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of this anemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin. Folate is especially important during periods of rapid cell division, such as pregnancy and fetal development. Folic acid has been FDA-approved since 1947.

Indications

Contraindications

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had: epilepsy or other seizure disorder cirrhosis or other liver disease kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) hemolytic anemia pernicious anemia anemia that has not been diagnosed by a doctor and confirmed with laboratory testing a condition that affects how well you absorb nutrients, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease an infection or alcoholism. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. These conditions may be causing folate deficiency, require additional medications or a higher dose of folic acid, or further laboratory investigation. For example: Folic acid in dosages above 0.4mg daily may hide laboratory changes caused by pernicious anemia without halting the progression of neurological changes. This may result in severe nervous system damage before the correct diagnosis is made.

Side Effects

Folic acid side effects are more likely to occur with higher dosages of folic acid (up to 15 mg/day) and include: nausea loss of appetite bloating or gas stomach pain bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth confusion or trouble concentrating sleep problems mood changes, such as depression or excitement impaired judgment. Low vitamin B12 levels may occur in patients receiving prolonged folic acid therapy.

Warnings

Folic acid is relatively nontoxic in humans but rare instances of an allergic reaction to folic acid have been reported. You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid: hives , rash, itching, skin redness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. May increase the risk of seizures in some people with epilepsy receiving phenobarbital, primidone, or diphenylhydantoin. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

High Risk Groups

Adult Dosage

0.25 to 1 mg (0.62 (0.625)) 24 hourly PO,IV,IM — Initial dose, in folate deficient states. 0.4 mg (0.4 (0.4)) 24 hourly PO,IV,IM — Maintenance dose, in folate deficient states. 200 mcg (200 (200)) 24 hourly IV — For prophylaxis in pregnancy. 3 mg (3 (3)) 24 hourly IV — For 6 weeks. 5 mg (5 (5)) 24 hourly PO — For 4 months, in folate deficient megaloblastic anemia b/c of poor nutrition, pregnancy, or antiepileptics. Maintenance dose is 5mg every 1-7 days depending on underlying disease.

Child Dosage

0.5 mg/kg (0.5 (0.5)) 24 hourly Oral —

Neonatal Dosage

0.5 mg/kg (0.5 (0.5)) 24 hourly Oral —

Drug Interactions

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using folic acid with any other medications, especially: methotrexate nitrofurantoin pyrimethamine tetracycline . False low serum and red cell folate levels may occur with some antibiotics that suppress the growth of Lactobacillus casei . a barbiturate such as phenobarbital or secobarbital seizure medicines such as phenytoin or primidone . The anticonvulsant action of some seizure medications can be antagonized by folic acid and increased dosages of the anticonvulsant may be needed sulfasalazine. May reduce the body's ability to absorb folate. This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with folic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

Inj Store at room temperature. Do not Freeze. Tab Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight and Heat.

Available Brands in Pakistan

98 active brands listed alphabetically.

Folic Acid

Available Brands in Pakistan

ACEFER-F

APOFER-F

ARELIC

AYATOSE-F

BIOFOL

BISLERI

BISLERI F

CALIFER-F

CAMFOLIT

CARON

CAY-PLEX-F

CEBRIN

COMFER-F

CRESS

CRESS-F

DYSOFER-F

FANIM-5

FE AID PLUS

FE-CHEW FA

FEFAN

FEFOL SPANSULE

FERALIFE

FERFIX

FERFIX-FA

FERFOLIC

FERIFER-F

FERIMOZ

FEROGAD-F

FERONEXT

FEROSOFT FA

FER-P-F PLUS

FERPOL

FERRODIN

FERRODIN-F

FERRUX-FA

FERRY-F

FERUS

FOLEVER

FOLIC

FOLIC

FOLIC

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLIC ACID

FOLITAB

GLOFT-F

GOODLIFE

HAEMPLEX-F

HB RISE PLUS

HEAMOCARE PLUS

HEMFIL F

HEMOSOFT-F

HEMOSOFT FA

HIVIT

I-FOLIC

IRN-FER

IROL-F

IRON

IRON

IRONAL-F

IRON-P

IRON-PF

IRON PLUS

IROPAS-F

IROTON F

IROWAN-F

IROXIDE-F

MAFERRO PLUS

MALCIFER-F

MALT

MALTEF

MALTEF