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Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9)
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Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9)
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BASIC INFORMATIONFolic acid is also called folate, pteroyglutamic acid,
folacin.
Brand names:
Folic-Acid Tablets
Apo-Folic(R)
Folvite(R)
Novofolacid(R)
Vitamin B-9(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes, for injectable forms
Fat-soluble or water-soluble? Water-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Barley
Beans
Brewer's yeast
Calves' liver
Endive
Fruits
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Green, leafy vegetables
Lentils
Orange juice
Oranges
Peas
Rice
Soybeans
Split peas
Sprouts
Wheat
Wheat germ
REASONS TO USE
Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation.
Maintains nervous system, intestinal tract, sex organs, white
blood cells, normal patterns of growth.
Regulates embryonic and fetal development of nerve cells.
Promotes normal growth and development.
Treats anemias due to folic-acid deficiency occurring from
alcoholism, liver disease, hemolytic anemia, sprue, pregnancy,
breast-feeding, oral-contraceptive use.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Prevents mental problems.
Acts as a natural analgesic or pain killer.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Women who use oral contraceptives.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or those who have recently undergone surgery.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Young infants not receiving breast milk or fortified
commercial formula.
Extremely ill people who must be fed intravenously or by
nasa-gastric tube.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Hemolytic and megaloblastic anemia in which red blood cells
are large and uneven in size, have a shorter life span or are
likely to have cell membranes rupture
Irritability
Weakness
Lack of energy
Sleeping difficulties
Paleness
Sore red tongue
Mild mental symptoms, such as forgetfulness and confusion
Diarrhea
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Depression
Cervical dysplasia
Psychosis
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Serum folic acid
Blood cells showing macrocytic anemia coupled with normal
levels of B-12 in blood
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
30mcg |
| 6-12 months |
45mcg |
| 1-3 years |
100mcg |
| 4-6 years |
200mcg |
| 7-10 years |
300mcg |
| 11+ years |
400mcg |
| Pregnant |
+400mcg |
| Lactating |
+100mcg |
What this vitamin does:
Acts as co-enzyme for normal DNA synthesis.
Functions as part of co-enzyme in amino acid and nucleoprotein
synthesis.
Promotes normal red-blood-cell formation.
Miscellaneous information:
Cooking vegetables causes loss of some folic-acid content.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
NOTE: Folic acid is sometimes omitted from multivitamin/mineral
preparations. Check labels.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Have pernicious anemia. Folic acid will make the blood appear
normal, but neurological problems may progress and be
irreversible.
Take anti-convulsant medication.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Anemia
Over age 55:
No problems expected.
Pregnancy:
No problems expected.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
No problems expected.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
May cause false-low results in tests for vitamin B-12.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
Others:
Renal dialysis reduces blood folic acid. Patients on dialysis
should increase RDA by 300%.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Prolonged use of high doses can produce damaging folacin
crystals in the kidney. Doses over 1,500mcg/day can cause
appetite loss, nausea, flatulence, abdominal distension, may
obscure existence of pernicious anemia.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Bright-yellow urine (always) |
Nothing. |
| Diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
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immediately. |
| Fever |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
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immediately. |
| Skin rash |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Analgesics |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
| Antibiotics |
May cause false-low results |
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in tests for serum-folic acid. |
| Anti-convulsants |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid and anti-convulsant. |
| Chloramphenicol |
Produces folic-acid |
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deficiency. |
| Cortisone drugs |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
| Methotrexate |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
| Oral contraceptives |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. Those who take oral |
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contraceptives require |
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additional folic acid. |
| Phenytoin |
Decrease phenytoin effect. |
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Patients taking phenytoin |
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should avoid taking folic |
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acid. |
| Pyrimethamine |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid and interferes with |
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effectiveness of |
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pyrimethamine. Avoid this |
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combination. |
| Quinine |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
| Sulfasalazine and other sulfa |
Decreases effect of folic |
| drugs |
acid. |
| Trimethoprim |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
| Trimterene |
Decreases effect of folic |
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acid. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental
folic acid.
Alcohol abuse makes deficiency more likely. Alcoholism is the
principal cause of folic-acid deficiency.
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From Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by Putnam Publishing
Group. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.
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