folic acid
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a dietary supplement used to treat anemias, due to low blood levels of folic acid (folic acid deficiency) or poor diet, in children and adults. It's also used to prevent neural tube defects in pregnancy. Folic acid is considered a man-made form of folate which is naturally found in food. It's commonly available as oral tablets, usually taken once a day. Side effects symptoms are rare with recommended doses, but avoid taking too much since that can be harmful.
What is Folic acid?
What is Folic acid used for?
Anemia due to low blood levels of folic acid (folate deficiency) or poor diet
How Folic acid works
Folic acid is a dietary supplement that does many important things for the body. It helps to treat anemia by making new red blood cells.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Folic acid?
Common Side Effects
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, trouble breathing, vomiting, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
general weakness or discomfort
reddened skin
shortness of breath
skin rash or itching
tightness in chest
troubled breathing
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Folic acid
Pros
Typically taken by mouth once per day
Has minimal to no side effects
Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
Taking too much can be harmful
Doesn’t treat all types of anemia
Pharmacist tips for Folic acid
Take folic acid with or without food.
Carefully check the labels of any other vitamins and supplements you're taking to see if they already have folic acid. Don't take additional supplements with folic acid without talking to your provider first. Taking more folic acid than your recommended dose can be harmful.
Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you're taking before starting folic acid to make sure there are no interactions.
Side effects are usually uncommon and are typically related to taking higher doses. Contact your provider if you experience any stomach issues, headache, sleeping problems, or concentration problems.
Store folic acid at room temperature and away from children. If your child accidentally took folic acid, get medical help or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Frequently asked questions about Folic acid
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What are the risks and warnings for Folic acid?
Folic acid can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Overdose
Risk factors: Taking more than the recommended dose
Taking too much folic acid can potentially cause serious side effects. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions on how to take folic acid properly. Since many over-the-counter multivitamins and supplements contain these vitamins, always check with your provider or pharmacist to make sure you're not taking too much. Let your provider know if you experience overdose symptoms (e.g., poor appetite, nausea, bloating, bad taste in your mouth, sleeping problems, concentration problems, feeling irritable).
Potential to hide low vitamin B12
Taking folic acid can sometimes hide anemia due to low vitamin B12 levels. This means that folic acid might help raise your red blood cell count without addressing your vitamin B12 levels, which can remain low. Your provider might check your vitamin B12 levels through blood work before you start folic acid to make sure you receive appropriate treatment for all your nutrient deficiencies.
High levels of aluminum (injectable form only)
Risk factors: Kidney problems | Premature babies | Long-term use
Folic acid contains aluminum, which can build up in people with kidney problems, including babies born before their kidneys are fully developed. Too much aluminum in your body can lead to brain and bone problems. Let your provider know if you have kidney problems because they'll need to look out for signs of aluminum toxicity.
Gasping syndrome in premature babies (injectable form only)
Risk factors: Premature babies
The injectable form of folic acid has a preservative called benzyl alcohol. This preservative can cause a rare, but serious and sometimes life-threatening medical condition typically seen in premature babies called gasping syndrome. Get medical attention right away if your child has symptoms, such as gasping, slowed heart rate, clammy skin, seizures, or weakness in an arm or leg.
Folic acid dosage forms
Typical dosing for Folic acid
The typical dose ranges from 0.1 mg to 1 mg by mouth per day. The maximum dose depends on your age. Your provider will decide the dose based on your age and certain health conditions.
An injectable form of folic acid is also available and can be used in people who can't take the medication by mouth.
Interactions between Folic acid and other drugs
More on Folic acid interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this dietary supplement, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this dietary supplement with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
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References
Best studies we foundAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2008). Public Health Statement: Aluminum.
Almohanna, H. M., et al. (2019). The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review. Dermatology and Therapy.
Khan, K. M., et al. (2023). Folic acid deficiency.
MedGen. (n.d.). Gasping syndrome. National Library of Medicine.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). Vitamin B12–Deficiency anemia.
National Institutes of Health. (2022). Folate: Fact sheet for consumers.
Quagen Pharmaceuticals LLC. (2023). Folic acid tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). FDA 101: Dietary supplements.
XGen Pharmaceuticals DJB, Inc. (2022). Folic acid- folic acid injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
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