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Folic Acid

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SIDE EFFECTS

Folic Acid Patient Information Including Side Effects

Generic Name: folic acid

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is normally found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.

Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.

As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.

Folic acid is sometimes used with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. Folic acid used alone will not treat pernicious anemia and other anemias not related to Vitamin B12 deficiency. Take all of your medications as directed.

Folic acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of folic acid?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching, skin redness; wheezing, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, loss of appetite;
  • bloating, gas, stomach pain;
  • bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
  • confusion, trouble concentrating;
  • sleep problems;
  • depression; or
  • feeling excited or irritable.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about folic acid?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Folic Acid Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking folic acid?

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to folic acid.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding.

How should I take folic acid?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Store folic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Folic Acid Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking folic acid?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect folic acid?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using folic acid with any other medications, especially:

  • methotrexate;
  • nitrofurantoin;
  • pyrimethamine;
  • tetracycline;
  • a barbiturate such as phenobarbital or secobarbital; or
  • seizure medicine such as phenytoin or primidone.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect folic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about folic acid.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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