Folic Acid, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin; nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: folic acid, injection; folic acid, oral; folate; Folicet

What is this medicine used for?

This is a B complex vitamin that is needed for good health. It occurs naturally in certain foods. As a medicine it is used either alone or with other medicines to treat blood problems such as certain types of low blood cell counts (anemia). It may also reduce the risk of birth defects, heart disease, and colon cancer.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, your healthcare provider needs to find out what type of anemia you have. Taking folic acid without vitamin B-12 may make pernicious anemia worse. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. This medicine is often given during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida and other conditions. It may also be recommended if you are breast-feeding.

How do I use it?

Injections are usually given by a healthcare provider.

Take the oral form of this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider, or according to the directions on the package label. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval if you are being treated for folic acid deficiency.

Do not take large amounts (more than 0.4 mg per day) unless your healthcare provider approves.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take folic acid for anemia unless you have been diagnosed by your healthcare provider. If you have pernicious anemia, taking folic acid without vitamin B-12 can cause serious problems such as:

• depression
• personality changes
• tingling and numbness of hands and feet
• unsteady walk
• loss of sense of smell
• loss of appetite

This medicine may make your urine a darker yellow than normal. It is not harmful.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, rash, itching, trouble breathing, depression, personality changes, tingling and numbness of hands and feet, unsteady walk, loss of sense of smell.

Other: Nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, bitter taste in your mouth, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) (take folic acid 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medicines)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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