Folic Acid

Folic Acid
20 May

Folic Acid

Vitamin And Mineral Supplements

- Folic acid is required for nucleoprotein synthesis and 
  maintenance of normal erythropoiesis.
  Folic acid is reduced in the body to tetrahydrofolate,
  which is a coenzyme of various metabolic processes.
- Folic acid stimulates production of red and white blood  
  cells and platelets in certain megaloblastic anaemia .it 
  corrects only the anaemia but does not prevent or 
  alleviate the neurological deterioration that may 
  accompany  the disorder. Megaloblastic macrocytic 
  anemias that are not accompanied by neurological 
  disturbances generally respond well to folic acid . 
- Folic acid  is well absorbed orally with satisfactory 
  results except in severe incidences of intestinal 
  malabsorption. 

Indecation

- Megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy and lactation.
- Folate deficiency due to: inadequate intake, 
  malabsorption syndrome, excessive utilization and  
  increased excretion. 
- Increased requirements of Folic acid, e.g. pregnancy, 
  lactation, alcoholism, liver or kidney diseases, hemolytic 
  anemia, prolonged diarrhea use of oral contraceptives.   
- Macrocytic anemias not accompanied with neurological 
  disturbances .
- Megaloblastic anaemia due to certain parasitic 
  infestations. 

Dosage & Administration

- Give orally except in severe intestinal malabsorption.
- Megaloblastic anaemia: one tablet daily for 4 months.
  up to 3 tablets in malabsorption.
- Heomolytic anaemia :one tablet every 1 to 7 days.
- pregnancy to prevention of neural tube defect :one tablet  
 daily starting before pregnancy and continued throagh 
  the first trimester. 

  Each film coated tablet of  Folic acid contains :-
- Folic acid                            5   mg.

- Folic acid should not be given in pernicious anemia. 
- Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation .

- Folate deficiency may be produced by: 
  antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, antituberculous drugs, 
  alcohol and Folic acid antagonists  such as methotrexate, 
  pyrimethamine, triamterene, trimethoprime and 
  sulfonamides, so The dose of  Folic acid  must be 
  increased in this cases.

- Folic acid  can be used during pregnancy and lactation. 

- Folic acid is generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal 
  disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions have been 
  reported  rarely. 
- Large dose of Folic acid may cause yellow discoloration 
  of urine. 

- Folic acid should not be  given alone or with inadequate 
  amounts of vitamin B12 for treatment of undiagnosed  
  Megaloblastic anaemia. since Folic acid may produce a 
  haematopoietic response in patients with a megaloblastic 
  anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency without preventing 
  aggravation of neurological symptoms. This masking of 
  the true deficiency state can lead to serious neurological 
  damage, such as subacute combined degeneration of the 
  spinal cord.

- Blister of  10 tablets, pack of 3 blisters. 
- Hospital packs with different sizes. 

- Store in a dry place, at a temperature below  30 °C.