Folic Acid *

[سلطان حكمي]

Folic Acid *


Generic Name:folic acid (FOE lik AS id)

Brand Names:FA-8, Folacin-800






What is folic acid?


Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is normally found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils,
oranges, whole-wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.

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 in combination with other medications to treat pernicious anemia.
However it will not treat Vitamin B12 deficiency and will not prevent possible damage to the spinal cord.
Take all of your medications as directed.

.Important information about folic acid.

_ You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.
_Before you take folic acid, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), an infection,
if you are an alcoholic, or if you have any type of anemia that has not been diagnosed
by a doctor and confirmed with laboratory testing.

_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.
_ Take all of your medications as directed.
_ Before taking folic acid Before taking folic acid you should not use this medication
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose
adjustment or special tests to safely use folic acid:

_kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)

_hemolytic anemia

_pernicious anemia
anemia that has not been diagnosed by a doctor
and confirmed with laboratory testing

_ an infection or
if you are an alcoholic.

FDA pregnancy category A. Folic acid is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby,
and your dose needs may even increase while you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid during pregnancy.
Your dose needs may also be different if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ask your doctor about taking folic acid if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take folic acid?

_ Take folic acid exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
_ Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
_ Follow the directions on your preion label.
_ Take folic acid with a full glass of water.
_Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make
sure you get the best results from this medication.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?


Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.





What happens if I overdose?


Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling, mouth or tongue pain,
weakness, tired feeling confusion, or trouble concentrating.





What should I avoid while taking folic acid?


Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions
on food, beverages, or activity.





Folic acid side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid:

hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, but may include:

_nausea, loss of appetite

_ bloating, gas

_ bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

_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.

Folic acid Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Megaloblastic Anemia:

1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
May continue until clinical symptoms of folate deficiency
and the hematological profile have normalized.

Usual Adult Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:

400 to 800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or
IV once a day.

Women of childbearing age, pregnant, and lactating women:
800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.


Usual Pediatric Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:

Infant:

0.1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.

Child:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously
or IV once a day.

Maintenance dose


1 to 10 years: 0.1 to 0.4 mg orally, intramuscularly,
subcutaneously or IV once a day.
> 10 years: 0.5 orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.






What other drugs will affect folic acid?


The dosages of other medications you take may need to
be changed while you are taking folic acid.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

_ phenytoin (Dilantin)

_ methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)

_ nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)

_ pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

_ tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Sumycin)
or a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol),
secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal),
or phenobarbital (Solfoton) or seizure medication
such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with folic acid.
Tell your doctor about all your preion and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor

How should I take folic acid?

_ Take folic acid exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
_ Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
_ Follow the directions on your preion label.
_ Take folic acid with a full glass of water.
_Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make
sure you get the best results from this medication.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?


Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.





What happens if I overdose?


Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling, mouth or tongue pain,
weakness, tired feeling confusion, or trouble concentrating.





What should I avoid while taking folic acid?


Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions
on food, beverages, or activity.





Folic acid side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid:

hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, but may include:

_nausea, loss of appetite

_ bloating, gas

_ bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;

_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.

Folic acid Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Megaloblastic Anemia:

1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.
May continue until clinical symptoms of folate deficiency
and the hematological profile have normalized.

Usual Adult Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:

400 to 800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or
IV once a day.

Women of childbearing age, pregnant, and lactating women:
800 mcg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.


Usual Pediatric Dose for Folic Acid Deficiency:

Infant:

0.1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.

Child:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously
or IV once a day.

Maintenance dose


1 to 10 years: 0.1 to 0.4 mg orally, intramuscularly,
subcutaneously or IV once a day.
> 10 years: 0.5 orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or IV once a day.






What other drugs will affect folic acid?


The dosages of other medications you take may need to
be changed while you are taking folic acid.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

_ phenytoin (Dilantin)

_ methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)

_ nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)

_ pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

_ tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Sumycin)
or a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol),
secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal),
or phenobarbital (Solfoton) or seizure medication
such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with folic acid.
Tell your doctor about all your preion and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor