Folic Acid Tablets contains folic acid, a vitamin essential in the production and maintenance of new cells.
Folic Acid Tablets are used in the treatment and prevention of:
- anaemia due to a lack of folic acid in adults and children,
- anaemia in pregnancy,
- anaemia, as a side effect from treatment with certain medicines,
- anaemia due to damaged red blood cells,
- anaemia in patients on kidney dialysis.
Folic acid Tablets can also be given to some women before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida (an abnormality of the spine) in babies, which can be caused by deficiency of this vitamin.
Do not take Folic Acid Tablets:
- if you are allergic to folic acid or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- if you have cancer (unless you have anaemia due to a deficiency of folic acid)
- if you have untreated vitamin B12 deficiency, for example some types of anaemia and in vegetarians
- if you suffer from pernicious anaemia (a disorder preventing the absorption of vitamin B12) or could be suffering from a lack of vitamin B12.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Folic Acid Tablets
- if you are undergoing haemodialysis due to kidney failure,
- if you are receiving a coronary stent,
- if you suffer from pernicious anaemia (a disorder preventing the absorption of vitamin B12) or could be suffering from a lack of vitamin B12,
- if you have a tumour. Care needs to be taken in patients with certain tumours.
The following medicines can affect or be affected by treatment with Folic Acid Tablets:
- phenytoin, phenobarbital and primidone (used to control epileptic fits),
- Fluorouracil, a drug used to treat certain tumours,
- antibiotics. Some antibiotics (trimethoprim and sulphonamides, sometimes combined as co-trimoxazole) reduce the effect of folic acid. All antibiotics can interfere with folic acid blood test results,
- Some indigestion remedies (edible clay and antacids containing aluminium or magnesium). Allow at least a two hour gap between taking your Folic Acid Tablets and indigestion remedies.
- Preparations containing zinc such as vitamins or food supplements (this may be important in
pregnancy). - sulfasalazine, used to treat the inflammatory bowel conditions ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- cholestyramine, used to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
If you are breast feeding please speak with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Folic Acid Tablets contains lactose.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. Your doctor will decide the right dose and how long to take Folic Acid Tablets. Unless told otherwise, swallow your tablet with water.
The recommended doses are as follows:
Anaemia
Adults and children over 1 year:
One tablet a day for the treatment of anaemia or one tablet everyone to seven days for the prevention of anaemia (depending on diet and underlying disease).
Children less than 1 year of age:
500 micrograms per kilogram of body weight daily.
For possibility of Folic Acid Tablets dosage in children with different weight, you may also take Folic Acid Tablets 1 mg.
Prevention of spina bifida:
One tablet a day, starting before conception and continuing for the first three months of pregnancy.
If you take more Folic Acid Tablets than you should
If you (or anybody else, including a child), takes more Folic Acid Tablets than you should, it is unlikely that this medicine will cause any harm. If you are at all concerned contact your doctor. Always take the carton and this leaflet with you.
If you forget to take Folic Acid Tablets
If you forget a dose, take another as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
then do not take the missed dose at all. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.