| Brand Name | Manufacturer Name | Distributor | Drug Strength | Packaging | Formulation | Formulation Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folic acid | Biodeal, Cosmos ,Ellys, LAE, Regal | 5mg | 100 | Tablet | per tablet | KES 40.00-120 | |
| Ltd | mg | 30 | Tablet | per tablet | KES .00 |
Folic acid may be confused with folinic acid
Anemia: Oral, I.M., I.V., SubQ: 0.4 mg/day
Pregnant and lactating women: 0.8 mg/day
RDA: Expressed as dietary folate equivalents: 400 mcg/day
Prevention of neural tube defects: Oral:
Females of childbearing potential: 400-800 mcg/day (USPSTF)
Females at high risk or with family history of neural tube defects: 4 mg/day
Anemia: Oral, I.M., I.V., SubQ:
Infants: 0.1 mg/day
Children <4 years: Up to 0.3 mg/day
Children >4 years and Adults: Refer to adult dosing.
RDA: Expressed as dietary folate equivalents: Oral: Children:
1-3 years: 150 mcg/day
4-8 years: 200 mcg/day
9-13 years: 300 mcg/day
≥14 years: Refer to adult dosing.
Refer to adult dosing. Vitamin B12 deficiency must be ruled out before initiating folate therapy due to frequency of combined nutritional deficiencies: RDA requirements (1999): 400 mcg/day (0.4 mg) minimum.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Injection, solution, as sodium folate: 5 mg/mL (10 mL)
Tablet, oral: 0.4 mg, 0.8 mg, 1 mg
Folacin-800: 0.8 mg [scored; gluten free, sugar free]
Yes
Oral preferred, but may also be administered by deep I.M., SubQ, or I.V. injection.
Stable in D5W, D20W, NS, fat emulsion 10%; incompatible with D40W, D50W. Do not use with oxidizing and reducing agents or heavy metal ions.
Y-site administration: Compatible: Famotidine.
Compatibility in syringe: Incompatible: Doxapram.
Compatibility when admixed: Incompatible: Calcium gluconate.
Treatment of megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias due to folate deficiency; dietary supplement to prevent neural tube defects
Adjunctive cofactor therapy in methanol toxicity (alternative to leucovorin calcium)
Frequency not defined.
Allergic reaction, bronchospasm, erythema, flushing (slight), malaise (general), pruritus, rash
Hypersensitivity to folic acid or any component of the formulation
Disease-related concerns:
• Anemia: Monotherapy: Not appropriate for monotherapy with pernicious, aplastic, or normocytic anemias when anemia is present with vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Pernicious anemia: Doses >0.1 mg/day may obscure pernicious anemia with continuing irreversible nerve damage progression.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Benzyl alcohol: Injection contains benzyl alcohol (1.5%) as preservative which has been associated with "gasping syndrome" in neonates.
Other warnings/precautions:
• Resistance to treatment: May occur with depressed hematopoiesis, alcoholism, and deficiencies of other vitamins.
Fosphenytoin: Folic Acid may decrease the serum concentration of Fosphenytoin. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Green Tea: May decrease the serum concentration of Folic Acid.Risk C: Monitor therapy
PHENobarbital: Folic Acid may decrease the serum concentration of PHENobarbital. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Phenytoin: Folic Acid may decrease the serum concentration of Phenytoin. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Primidone: Folic Acid may decrease the serum concentration of Primidone. Additionally, folic acid may decrease concentrations of active metabolites of primidone (e.g., phenobarbital). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Raltitrexed: Folic Acid may diminish the therapeutic effect of Raltitrexed. Risk X: Avoid combination
A (show table)
Folic acid requirements are increased during pregnancy; a deficiency may result in fetal harm.
Enters breast milk/compatible
As of January 1998, the FDA has required manufacturers of enriched flour, bread, corn meal, pasta, rice, and other grain products to add folic acid to their products. The intent is to help decrease the risk of neural tube defects by increasing folic acid intake. Other foods which contain folic acid include dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and juices, and lentils.
Folic acid is necessary for formation of a number of coenzymes in many metabolic systems, particularly for purine and pyrimidine synthesis; required for nucleoprotein synthesis and maintenance in erythropoiesis; stimulates WBC and platelet production in folate deficiency anemia. Folic acid enhances the elimination of formic acid, the toxic metabolite of methanol (unlabeled use).
Onset of action: Peak effect: Oral: 0.5-1 hour
Absorption: Proximal part of small intestine
Metabolism: Hepatic
Excretion: Urine