Folic Acid

Folic Acid is a water-soluble, synthetic form of folate. Some other forms of folate include tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5, 10-methylene-THF), and 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5-MTHFR or 5-methyl-THF).

Food is the best source to get enough folate for the majority of people. A well-balanced diet usually meets all your needs. However, folic acid supplements are indicated for women who are planning to get pregnant or women of childbearing age, who may become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. They can help prevent birth defects and may reduce the risk of your child developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Folic acid supplements can also benefit people with poor diets or illnesses that impair their body's ability to absorb folate.

Vitamin B9 (folate, folic acid) is essential for normal red blood cell production and cell growth, repair, and DNA synthesis. Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, and a lack of folate can result in folate-deficiency anemia. This anemia causes weariness, weakness, shortness of breath, and a pale complexion.

Folic acid, together with vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12, helps to regulate elevated blood homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels may raise your chance of developing heart and blood vessel disorders (cardiovascular disease/heart disease).

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Folic Acid. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Folic Acid:

• Folic acid is the only kind of folate that has been demonstrated to prevent neural tube abnormalities. Though folate-rich meals are generally nutritious and beneficial to one's health, women should also take a folic acid supplement.
• Folic acid is found in fortified foods such as leafy green vegetables, okra, asparagus, some fruits, beans, yeast, mushrooms, animal liver and kidney, orange juice, and tomato juice. Folic acid has been added to breakfast cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers by federal legislation.
• Folic acid can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole, with a sip of water.
• If you're taking folic acid as a liquid, it will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to assist you measure the proper amount. If you don't have one, consult your chemist. Avoid using a kitchen teaspoon because it will not accurately measure the amount.

The most common side effects of Folic Acid seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo 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.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Folic Acid. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Allergic reaction with symptoms such as hives, swelling of your face, lips, or throat, and trouble breathing.
• May increase the risk of seizures in some people with epilepsy receiving phenobarbital, primidone, or diphenylhydantoin.
• High folic acid intake or folate intake may mask symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. If left untreated, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage and other complications.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Folic Acid. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Folic Acid, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder.
• Cirrhosis or other liver disease.
• Kidney disease (dialysis).
• Hemolytic anemia.
• Pernicious anemia.

-A condition that affects how well you absorb nutrients (malabsorption syndrome), such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

• An infection.

-Alcoholism.

You should not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic response to folic acid or any form of folate. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any folic acid or folate supplement.

Folic acid is a nutritional supplement that helps the body generate new tissues and cells, manufacture proteins, break down food into nutrients, and produce DNA. It helps treat anemia by producing new red blood cells. Folic acid takes a few hours to work unless you have a deficiency, then it could take a few weeks. It also depends on the amount of folic acid you are taking.

When Folic Acid is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking, including:

• Methotrexate.
• Nitrofurantoin.
• Pyrimethamine.
• Tetracycline.
• A barbiturate such as phenobarbital or secobarbital.
• Seizure medicine such as phenytoin or primidone.
• Sulfasalazine - which may hinder the body's ability to absorb folate.

Folic acid is a vital nutrient, and it should be ingested daily.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults is 400 mcg DFE (dietary folate equivalents) per day.

1 mcg of DFE is equivalent to 1 mcg of folate in meals or 0.6 mcg of folic acid supplements. This is because folic acid supplements have a higher absorption rate than meals.

In pregnancy, the RDA of folic acid is 600 mcg DFE daily (other sources recommend 400-800 mcg DFE).

The recommended daily intake of folic acid when nursing is 500 mcg DFE.

The RDA for children varies according to their age.

From birth to six months: 65 mcg DFE.

Infants aged 7-12 months: 80 mcg. DFE

Children aged 1-3 years: 150 mcg DFE.

Children aged 4 to 8 years: 200 mcg. DFE

Children aged 9 to 13 years: 300 mcg DFE

Teens aged 14-18 years: 400 mcg DFE

Adults aged 19 and up: 400 micrograms of DFE.

There is considerable concern that taking too much folic acid over time may result in major negative effects. According to some studies, taking folic acid at dosages ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 mg daily may raise the risk of cancer or heart attack in patients with cardiac problems.

Store folic acid at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Folic acid is manufactured by several pharmaceutical companies.

Folic Acid is only available as a generic drug.

You will typically take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before you are pregnant and at least until you are 12 weeks pregnant. When taking it for a long-term condition, you may need to take folic acid for an extended period, maybe for the remainder of your life. Do not discontinue taking folic acid without consulting your doctor.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Folic acid requirements increase significantly during early pregnancy, and a deficiency can cause an increased risk of birth defects. Folic acid has not been found in studies on pregnant women to raise the risk of fetal abnormalities when provided during pregnancy. However, the vitamin supplement is beneficial to women’s health and women of childbearing age.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Folic acid is excreted in the milk of nursing mothers. Human milk contains enough folic acid to meet infant needs during lactation. Supplementation may be necessary for low-birth-weight infants, those breastfed by mothers with folic acid deficiency (500 mcg daily), and those with infections or prolonged diarrhea.