Folic Acid
Key points
- FOLIC ACID (Folate, Vitamin B9) is a B-complex vitamin that occurs naturally in such foods as yeast, liver, kidneys, and leafy, green vegetables.
- Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children.
- Folic acid is for injection into a muscle or under the skin.
- Try to remember to get your doses at regular intervals.
Folic Acid, Vitamin B9 injection
What is folic acid injection? FOLIC ACID (Folate, Vitamin B9) is a B-complex vitamin that occurs naturally in such foods as yeast, liver, kidneys, and leafy, green vegetables. Folic acid is essential to the development of healthy blood cells, nerve cells, and proteins in the body. As a nutritional supplement folic acid treats or prevents folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia. It helps treat tropical sprue, a condition sometimes seen in people who travel to tropical climates, in which food nutrients are not properly absorbed. There is also increasing evidence that some birth defects (neural tube defects or spina bifida) are related to lack of folic acid.
These may be prevented if the mother has enough folic acid before and during her pregnancy. Generic folic acid injections are available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive folic acid?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- pernicious anemia
- an unusual or allergic reaction to folic acid, other B vitamins, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
How should I use this medicine?
Folic acid is for injection into a muscle or under the skin. It is usually given by a health-care professional.
What if I miss a dose?
Try to remember to get your doses at regular intervals. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you cannot make an appointment.
What drug(s) may interact with folic acid?
- chloramphenicol
- cholestyramine
- methotrexate
- phenytoin
- pyrimethamine
- triamterene
- trimethoprim
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from receiving folic acid?
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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