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What is the most important information I should know about folic
acid?
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Take this medication only under the supervision of your doctor. |
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Folic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is important for
the formation of red and white blood cells. Folic acid is present in
foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products,
liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. |
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As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency
and megaloblastic anemia caused by folic acid deficiency. |
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Folic acid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
folic acid?
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Folic acid should not be taken to treat undiagnosed anemia. Folic
acid may hide the symptoms of pernicious anemia, leading to neurologic
damage. Treatment of anemia during folic acid therapy may also require
vitamin B12. |
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Folic acid is in the FDA pregnancy category A. This means that it is
safe to take folic acid during pregnancy. In fact, increased amounts of
folic acid are recommended during pregnancy to reduce the risk that a
folic acid deficiency will cause complications. Talk to your doctor
about taking folic acid during pregnancy. |
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It is safe to use folic acid during breast-feeding. Talk to your
doctor about taking this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take folic acid?
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Take folic acid exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Folic acid is usually taken every day. Follow your doctor's
instructions. |
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Sometimes, it may be necessary to receive folic acid by injection. |
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Store folic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed, and take only
your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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A folic acid overdose is unlikely to threaten life. Call an
emergency room or poison control left for advice. |
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Symptoms of a folic acid overdose are not known. |
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What should I avoid while taking folic acid?
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There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while
you are taking folic acid, unless your doctor directs otherwise. |
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What are the possible side effects of folic acid?
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Side effects from folic acid are not common. |
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Stop taking folic acid and seek emergency medical treatment if you
experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives). |
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Continue taking folic acid and talk to your doctor if you experience
any of the following less serious side effects, which have occurred with
large doses of folic acid: |
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difficulty concentrating. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect folic acid?
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Large doses of folic acid may decrease the effects of phenytoin (Dilantin).
Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of phenytoin to prevent
seizures during treatment with folic acid. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with folic acid.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about folic acid written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.07. Revision date: 8/
2/ 04. |
