Precautions
Sep 28, 2021 · Folic acid supplementation at a dose of 1mg daily is usually sufficient to prevent folic acid deficiency in certain high-risk patient populations (bariatric surgery, malnutrition, chronic alcohol use, chronic hemolytic anemia, and conditions with high cell turnover).
Why is taking folic acid so important?
Reduced plasma, serum, or red blood cell folate is commonly found in major depressive illnesses. Supplementing antidepressant medication with folic acid enhances the therapeutic effect. Although more work is required to confirm these beneficial results, it is suggested that, meanwhile, 2 mg of folic acid should be given during the acute, continuation, and maintenance …
Why did my doctor prescribe folic acid?
However, these countries have very low life time rates of major depression. Low folate levels are furthermore linked to a poor response to antidepressants, and treatment with folic acid is shown to improve response to antidepressants. A recent study also suggests that high vitamin B12 status may be associated with better treatment outcome.
Why to take folic acid?
Aug 19, 2021 · Folic acid is a type of vitamin B, specifically vitamin B9, which is essential for the body to function properly. Folic acid is very important for health Anti-aging treatments
When to take folic acid?
Treatment may include: Vitamin and mineral supplements; Changes in your diet; Medicine; Treating the underlying disease; You may need to take folic acid supplements for at least 2 to 3 months. These may be pills or shots (injections). Eating foods high in folic acid and cutting your alcohol intake are also important.
What does folic acid used for?
About folic acid Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is found in certain foods. Folic acid is used to: treat or prevent folate deficiency anaemia. help your unborn baby's brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly to avoid development problems (called neural tube defects) such as spina bifida.
Why would a doctor prescribe folic acid?
Folic acid is used to treat or prevent folic acid deficiency. It is a B-complex vitamin needed by the body to manufacture red blood cells. A deficiency of this vitamin causes certain types of anemia (low red blood cell count).
Which disorder is treated with folic acid?
Folate-deficiency anemia in pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn't develop normally. Treatment includes a well-balanced diet of foods with folic acid, folic acid supplements, medicines, and treating underlying diseases.
Who needs folic acid therapy?
CDC urges all women of reproductive age to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day, in addition to consuming food with folate from a varied diet, to help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).Apr 19, 2021
Can folic acid cause kidney problems?
Regarding the relationship between folic acid, vitamin B12 supplementation and CKD progression, available interventional studies have demonstrated no clear benefit or even harmful effects on renal outcomes [15], while observational studies showed a correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and risk of CKD development ...Feb 13, 2019
What are the symptoms of low folic acid?
What are the symptoms of folic acid deficiency?Common symptoms include tiredness, having little energy (lethargy), feeling faint and becoming easily breathless.Less common symptoms include headaches, heartbeats suddenly becoming noticeable (palpitations), altered taste and ringing in your ears (tinnitus).More items...•Jan 25, 2021
What are side effects of folic acid tablets?
What are the side effects of Folic Acid (FA-8)?nausea, loss of appetite;bloating, gas, stomach pain;bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;confusion, trouble concentrating;sleep problems;depression; or.feeling excited or irritable.Dec 22, 2020
Is vitamin B12 the same as folic acid?
Yes, they're both B vitamins. Yes, they're both needed to make new cells. And yes, not getting enough of either vitamin in your diet can lead to anemia.
What is folic acid 5mg used for?
Folic acid is indicated for the treatment of megaloblastic anaemia due to folic acid deficiency. It is also used for prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states, in renal dialysis, and in drug induced folate deficiency. Folic acid is used for the prevention of recurrence of neural tube defects.
Does folic acid cause weight gain?
In addition, folic acid induced PPARγ expression and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Our results suggest that excess folic acid may exacerbate weight gain, fat accumulation, and inflammation caused by consumption of a HF diet.Sep 23, 2016
Can I take folic acid at night?
How to take folic acid. If you are taking folic acid every day, take it at the same time each day, either in the morning OR in the evening. Take your folic acid tablets with a glass of water. You can take folic acid with or without food.Mar 8, 2022
Why is folic acid important?
Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is sometimes used with other medications to treat pernicious ...
What are the side effects of folic acid?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid: hives, rash, itching, skin redness; wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Common folic acid side effects may include: nausea, loss of appetite; bloating, gas, stomach pain;
Can folic acid be used for pernicious anemia?
Folic acid is sometimes used with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. Folic acid used alone will not treat pernicious anemia and other anemias not related to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Take all of your medications as directed.
Can you take folic acid while pregnant?
Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Folic acid is sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package.
Does methotrexate lower folate levels?
You should take folic acid with methotrexate to help prevent a folate deficiency.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
nausea, loss of appetite; bloating, gas, stomach pain; bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth; confusion, trouble concentrating; sleep problems; depression; or. feeling excited or irritable. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What is the function of B12 and folate?
Folate and vitamin B12 are major determinants of one-carbon metabolism, in which S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is formed. SAM donates methyl groups that are crucial for neurological function. Increased plasma homocysteine is a functional marker of both folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Does homocysteine increase anxiety?
Increased homocysteine levels are found in depressive patients. In a large population study from Norway increased plasma homocysteine was associated with increased risk of depression but not anxiety. There is now substantial evidence of a common decrease in serum/red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B12 and an increase in plasma homocysteine in ...
Is folate low in B12?
Both low folate and low vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients, and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in studies of the general population.
How long do you need to take folic acid?
You may need to take folic acid supplements for at least 2 to 3 months. These may be pills or shots (injections). Eating foods high in folic acid and cutting your alcohol intake are also important. If a digestive tract problem causes your anemia, your provider may treat that first.
What is the folate deficiency?
What is folate-deficiency anemia? Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia.
What foods cause anemia?
These include green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, fortified cereals, yeast, and meats (including liver). You drink too much alcohol. You have certain diseases of the lower digestive tract, such as celiac disease. This type of anemia also occurs in people with cancer.
What happens if you don't get enough folate during pregnancy?
A lack of folate during pregnancy is linked to major birth defects that affect the brain, spinal cord, and spine (ne ural tube defects). Some babies are born unable to absorb folic acid. This can lead to megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. They also have a different shape.
What are the symptoms of folate deficiency anemia?
Pale skin. Decreased appetite. Being grouchy (irritable) Lack of energy or tiring easily. Diarrhea. Smooth and tender tongue. The symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia may look like other blood conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
What causes folate deficiency in pregnant women?
Leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains are natural sources of folic acid. Folate-deficiency anemia in pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn’t develop normally.
Can low folic acid cause anemia?
Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. There are fewer of these cells. They are also oval-shaped, not round. Sometimes these red blood cells don’t live as long as normal red blood cells.
How to treat vitamin B12 deficiency?
Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
What foods contain B12?
meat. salmon and cod. milk and other dairy products. eggs. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, or are looking for alternatives to meat and dairy products, there are other foods that contain vitamin B12, such as yeast extract ( including Marmite), as well as some fortified breakfast cereals and soy products.
Can you stop taking B12?
Although it's less common, people with vitamin B12 deficiency caused by a prolonged poor diet may be advised to stop taking the tablets once their vitamin B12 levels have returned to normal and their diet has improved. Good sources of vitamin B12 include: meat. salmon and cod. milk and other dairy products.
Usual Adult Dose for Megaloblastic Anemia
Usual therapeutic dose: 1 mg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously#N#-Resistant cases may require larger doses#N#Maintenance dose:#N#-0.4 mg daily (adults)#N#-0.8 mg daily (pregnancy and lactation)#N#Minimum dose: 0.1 mg daily#N#Comments:#N#-Oral administration is preferred; patients who cannot absorb food folates are usually able to absorb oral folic acid.#N#-Do not use doses greater than 0.1 mg unless B12 deficiency anemia has been ruled out or is being adequately treated.#N#-Closely supervise patients; adjust maintenance dose if relapse appears imminent.#N#-Maintenance level may need to be increased for alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection.#N#Uses: Megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency (e.g.
Usual Adult Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):#N#400 mcg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously#N#Pregnancy: 600 mcg daily#N#Lactation: 500 mcg daily
Usual Pediatric Dose for Megaloblastic Anemia
Usual therapeutic dose: 1 mg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously#N#-Resistant cases may require larger doses#N#Maintenance dose:#N#-Infants: 0.1 mg daily#N#-Children under 4 years: 0.3 mg daily#N#-Children 4 years and older: 0.4 mg daily#N#Minimum dose: 0.1 mg daily#N#Comments:#N#-Oral administration is preferred; patients who cannot absorb food folates are usually able to absorb oral folic acid.#N#-Do not use doses greater than 0.1 mg unless B12 deficiency anemia has been ruled out or is being adequately treated.#N#-Closely supervise patients; adjust maintenance dose if relapse appears imminent.#N#-Maintenance level may need to be increased for alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection.#N#Uses: Megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency (e.g.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency
Usual therapeutic dose: 1 mg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously#N#-Resistant cases may require larger doses#N#Maintenance dose:#N#-Infants: 0.1 mg daily#N#-Children under 4 years: 0.3 mg daily#N#-Children 4 years and older: 0.4 mg daily#N#Minimum dose: 0.1 mg daily#N#Comments:#N#-Oral administration is preferred; patients who cannot absorb food folates are usually able to absorb oral folic acid.#N#-Do not use doses greater than 0.1 mg unless B12 deficiency anemia has been ruled out or is being adequately treated.#N#-Closely supervise patients; adjust maintenance dose if relapse appears imminent.#N#-Maintenance level may need to be increased for alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection.#N#Uses: Megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency (e.g.
Dose Adjustments
Women of childbearing age: 0.4 mg daily, started prior to conception#N#Women who have previously given birth to a child with neural tube defect: 4 to 5 mg daily
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
