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Indications/Uses
For the treatment and prevention of folate deficiency. It is also used in women of child-bearing potential and pregnant women to protect against neural tube defects in their offspring.
Dosage/Direction for Use
Treatment of folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia: 5 mg or 1 tablet daily for 4 months; up to 15 mg or 3 tablets daily in malabsorption states. Continued administration of 5 mg folic acid every 1 to 7 days may be necessary in chronic haemolytic states depending on the diet and rate of haemolysis.
Prevention of neural tube defects in the offspring of pregnant women of child-bearing potential: 5 mg or 1 tablet daily starting before pregnancy and continued through the first trimester or as prescribed by the physician.
Prevention of neural tube defects in the offspring of pregnant women of child-bearing potential: 5 mg or 1 tablet daily starting before pregnancy and continued through the first trimester or as prescribed by the physician.
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Special Precautions
Folic acid should never be given alone or in conjunction with inadequate amounts of Vitamin B12 for the treatment of undiagnosed megaloblastic anaemia, since folic acid may produce a haematopoietic response in patients with megaloblastic anaemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency without preventing aggravation of neurological symptoms.
Adverse Reactions
Folic Acid is generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported rarely.
Drug Interactions
Folate deficiency states that may be produced by a number of drugs including antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, antituberculous drugs, alcohol, and folic acid antagonists such as aminopterin, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim, and sulfonamides.
Storage
Shelf-Life: 24 months.
Action
Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Antianemic agent.
Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, mainly from the duodenum and jejunum. Dietary folates are stated to have about half the bioavailability of crystalline folic acid. Naturally occurring folate polyglutamates are largely deconjugated and reduced by dihydrofolate reductase in the intestines to form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate which appears in the portal circulation, where it is extensively bound to plasma proteins. Folic Acid administered therapeutically enters the portal circulation largely unchanged since it is poor substrate for reduction by dihydrofolate reductase. It is converted to the metabolically active form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the plasma and liver. Folate undergoes enterohepatic circulation. Folate metabolites are eliminated in the urine and folate in excess of body requirements is excreted unchanged in the urine. Folate is distributed into the breast milk. Folic acid is removed by haemodialysis.
Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, mainly from the duodenum and jejunum. Dietary folates are stated to have about half the bioavailability of crystalline folic acid. Naturally occurring folate polyglutamates are largely deconjugated and reduced by dihydrofolate reductase in the intestines to form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate which appears in the portal circulation, where it is extensively bound to plasma proteins. Folic Acid administered therapeutically enters the portal circulation largely unchanged since it is poor substrate for reduction by dihydrofolate reductase. It is converted to the metabolically active form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the plasma and liver. Folate undergoes enterohepatic circulation. Folate metabolites are eliminated in the urine and folate in excess of body requirements is excreted unchanged in the urine. Folate is distributed into the breast milk. Folic acid is removed by haemodialysis.
MedsGo Class
Vitamins & Minerals (Pre & Post Natal) / Antianemics
Features
Dosage Strength
5 mg
Drug Ingredients
- Vit. B9 (Folic Acid)
Drug Packaging
Tablet 1's
Generic Name
Folic Acid
Registration Number
DRP-1677-03
Drug Classification
Prescription Drug (RX)
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