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folic acid
Used for Anemia, Folate Deficiency
Used for Anemia, Folate Deficiency
Folic acid is a form of folate, also known as vitamin B9. It's a dietary supplement used to treat certain types of anemia caused by low levels of folic acid. It can also treat anemia caused by an increased need for folic acid, such as during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. It's most commonly available as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. Side effects are rare at recommended doses, but taking too much can be harmful.
What is Folic acid?
What is Folic acid used for?
- Anemia caused by low folic acid levels (folate deficiency) or an increased need for folic acid during pregnancy, infancy, or childhood
How Folic acid works
Folic acid is vitamin B9, a type of dietary supplement that your body needs for many important functions. It helps your body make new cells, including healthy red blood cells, which can help treat certain types of anemia.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Folvite, Quiofic |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Dietary supplement |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
More on Folic acid essentials
Side effects of Folic acid
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Signs of having too much folic acid:
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Passing gas
- Changes in taste
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Concentration problems
- Confusion
Folic acid serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: rash, itching, redness, swelling, trouble breathing
The following Folic acid 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.
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Pros and cons of Folic acid
Pros
- Typically taken by mouth once per day
- Side effects are uncommon when taken as directed
- Can be used in adults and children
Cons
- Taking too much can be harmful
- Doesn’t treat all types of anemia
- Can interact with certain medications
Pharmacist tips for Folic acid
- Take folic acid with or without food at any time of day. Try to take it around the same time each day to help you remember your dose.
- Check the labels of other vitamins and supplements to see if they already contain folic acid. Don't take extra folic acid without checking with your care team because taking too much can be harmful.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all medications you take before starting folic acid. It can interact with certain seizure medications, acid reflux medications, and methotrexate, so your care team can help you take them safely.
- Side effects from folic acid are uncommon and are more likely with higher doses. Contact your prescriber if you have stomach problems, headaches, trouble sleeping, or problems concentrating.
- Keep taking folic acid for as long as your prescriber recommends. You might only need it until your folate levels and blood counts improve, or you might need longer treatment if the cause of your folate deficiency continues.
- Storage: Keep folic acid at room temperature and out of reach of children.
Tips for Quiofic (folic acid) solution
- Measure the solution with a medication cup or oral syringe from the pharmacy. Don't use household spoons because they might not measure your dose accurately.
- Throw away the solution 30 days after opening the bottle, even if some medication is left. Using it past this time isn't recommended.
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.
Risk of hiding low vitamin B12 levels
Taking folic acid can sometimes hide anemia caused by low vitamin B12 levels. It can improve your red blood cell count without treating the vitamin B12 deficiency itself. This can make the deficiency harder to detect while nerve damage continues. Over time, untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can cause serious or permanent nerve problems.
Your care team might check your vitamin B12 levels with a blood test before you start folic acid to make sure any vitamin deficiencies are treated properly.
Folic acid dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 1mg of Folic acid is $8.88 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 53.24% off the average retail price of $18.99. 
Bottle of oral solution
Bottle of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75ml of 0.2mg/ml | 1 bottle | $949.93 | $949.93 |
Interactions between Folic acid and other drugs
Folic acid may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Folic acid. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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.
How much does Folic acid cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
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