Folic acid

Indications & Dose:

Folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia 

• BY MOUTH

Child 1–11 months: Initially 500 micrograms/kg once daily (max. per dose 5 mg) for up to 4 months, doses up to 10 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states

Child 1–17 years: 5 mg daily for 4 months (until term in pregnant women), doses up to 15 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states

Adult: 5 mg daily for 4 months (until term in pregnant women), doses up to 15 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states

Prevention of neural tube defects (in those at a low risk of conceiving a child with a neural tube defect )

•  BY MOUTH

Females of childbearing potential: 400 micrograms daily, to be taken before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy

Prevention of neural tube defects (in those in the highrisk group who wish to become pregnant or who are at risk of becoming pregnant)

• BY MOUTH

Females of childbearing potential: 5 mg daily, to be taken before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy

Prevention of neural tube defects (in those with sickle-cell disease) 

• BY MOUTH

Females of childbearing potential: 5 mg daily, patient should continue taking their normal dose of folic acid 5 mg daily (or increase the dose to 5mg daily) before conception and continue this throughout pregnancy

Prevention of methotrexate-induced sideeffects in rheumatic disease

• BY MOUTH

Adult: 5 mg once weekly, dose to be taken on a different day to methotrexate dose

Prevention of methotrexate side-effects in severe Crohn’s disease Prevention of methotrexate side-effects in severe psoriasis 

• BY MOUTH

Adult: 5 mg once weekly, dose to be taken on a 

Contraindications:

Anemias offer than megaloblastic/macrocytic anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia 

Side Effects:

RESP: Bronchospasm (rare)
SKIN: Allergic reactions have been reported, itching, rash

Cautions:

Precautions:

Interaction:

Drugs
Phenytoin: Decreased serum phenytoin concentrations; long-term phenytoin frequently leads to subnormal folate levels
Pyrimethamine: Inhibition of antimicrobial effect of pyrimethamine 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is a common problem in undernourished women and in women not receiving supplements; evidence has accumulated that folic acid deficiency, or abnormal folate metabolism, may be related to the occurrence of neural tube defects; actively excreted in human breast milk; compatible with breast feeding; recommended daily allowance during lactation is 0.5 mg/day 

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: