Folate

Folic Acid (Folate) is used for the prevention of some birth defects. It appears to protect against cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. The use of Folic Acid as an interventive treatment for cancer is too premature to recommend due to some findings that it may promote growth of some established cancers. Folic Acid mat be useful in reducing the symptoms of some psychiatric disorders.

Women of childbearing age, nursing mothers, and women who are pregnant should ensure that their intake of Folic Acid from nutritional supplements and/or fortified food is 400 micrograms a day. A number of pre- and postnatal supplements deliver 1,000 micrograms daily of Folic Acid. Doses higher than 1,000 micrograms a day should only be used by the above groups if prescribed by their doctors. Using Folic Acid for the treatment of Folate deficiency or for the treatment of any medical condition requires medical supervision. The use of Folic Acid doses above 1,000 micrograms a day might precipitate or exacerbate the neurological damage of vitamin B12 deficiency. Individuals who use Folic Acid doses above 1,000 micrograms/day should do so only under medical supervision. Individuals with undiagnosed anemia should apply caution in the use of supplemental Folic Acid. Doses of Folic Acid greater than 100 micrograms daily might result in hematologic improvement in individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency. Folic Acid doses of up to 1,000 micrograms daily are well tolerated. There are more than 100 reported cases in which vitamin B12-deficient subjects receiving oral doses of Folic Acid of 5 milligrams daily or more experienced progression of neurological symptoms and signs. There are very reports in individuals receiving doses of Folic Acid less than 5 milligrams daily. There are rare reports of hypersensitivity reactions to oral Folic Acid. These first-generation anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone valproic acid) might cause lowered serum Folate levels and increased serum homocysteine levels. High doses of Folic Acid might result in lowered serum levels of these medicines. Concurrent use of cholestyramine and Folic Acid might cause lowered absorption of Folic Acid. Concurrent use of colestipol and Folic Acid might cause lowered absorption of Folic Acid. Colchicine is reported to depress blood Folate levels. Using Folic Acid at a dose of 500 micrograms/day was found to enhance the antidepressant action of fluoxetine given at a dose of 20 milligrams daily in a study. Using Folic Acid at a dose of 200 micrograms daily was found to improve the efficacy of maintenance lithium in a study. Long-term use of metformin has been connected with elevated homocysteine levels which are reduced with Folic Acid use. The use of Folic Acid at a dose of 1,000 micrograms daily might significantly reduce the toxic side effects with no reduction in medicine efficacy in individuals undergoing chronic methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. When taken in large therapeutic doses, NSAIDS (including ibuprofen, indomethacin, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, sulindac) might exert antifolate activity. Phenytoin might lower serum Folate levels and negatively affect Folate status. High doses of Folic Acid might cause lowered serum phenytoin levels. Using high doses of Folic Acid concurrently with pyrimethamine to prevent bone marrow depression might cause a pharmacodynamic antagonism of the antiparasitic effect of pyrimethamine. Sulfasalazine might reduce the absorption of Folic Acid when used concurrently. Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 might work synergistically with Folic Acid in lowering serum homocysteine levels. Use of Folic Acid with food marginally decreases its availability. This website is intended to educate and inform, and should not replace discussions with your doctor.