FOLIC ACID (Vitamin B-9)

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Folic
Folvite
Novo-folacid
Numerous other multiple vitam	in-mineral supplements.
Check labels.

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? High strength: Yes Vitamin mixtures: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vitamin supplement

Uses

• Dietary supplement to promote normal growth, development and good health.
• Treatment for anemias due to folic-acid deficiency occurring from alcoholism, liver disease, hemolytic anemia, sprue, infants on artificial formula, pregnancy, breast-feeding and use of oral- contraceptives.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take when you remember. Don't double next dose. Resume regular schedule.

What drug does:
Essential to normal red blood cell formation.

Time lapse before drug works:
Not determined.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

None expected.

Common:

Large dose may produce yellow urine.

Infrequent:

None expected.

Rare:

Rash, itching, bronchospasm.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any B vitamin.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver disease.
• If you have pernicious anemia. (Folic acid corrects anemia, but nerve damage of pernicious anemia continues.)

Over age 60:
No problems expected.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Folic acid removed by kidney dialysis. Dialysis patients should increase intake to 300% of RDA.
• A balanced diet should provide all the folic acid a healthy person needs and make supplements unnecessary. Best sources are green, leafy vegetables; fruits; liver and kidney.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Analgesics*	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Anticonvulsants*	Decreased effect of folic acid.
	Possible increased seizure
	frequency.
Chloramphenicol	Possible decreased folic acid
	effect.
Contraceptives*,	Decreased effect of
oral	folic acid.
Cortisone drugs*	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Methotrexate	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Para-aminosalicylic	Decreased effect of
acid (PAS)	folic acid.
Pyrimethamine	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Sulfasalazine	Decreased dietary absorption of
	folic acid.
Triamterene	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Trimethoprim	Decreased effect of folic acid.
Zinc supplements	Increased need for zinc.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.