Folic acid - oral

Folic acid is used to treat and prevent folic acid deficiency.

This vitamin may be used to treat or prevent certain types of anaemia (low red blood cell count).

It may also be used in women of childbearing age and pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord) in their offspring.

Folic acid may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Folic acid exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this vitamin with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Folic acid is available as a tablet or oral solution.

If you are taking the tablet, swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the oral solution, follow these steps:

1. Open the bottle by pressing the cap and turning it anticlockwise.
2. Use the oral dosing syringe supplied with each bottle.
3. To use the oral dosing syringe, insert it into the perforated stopper and turn the bottle upside down.
4. Fill in the syringe with the appropriate dose.
5. Administer the medicine directly from the oral syringe.
6. Wash the oral syringe after use.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• untreated pernicious anaemia (a type of anaemia caused by impaired absorption of cobalamin also known as vitamin B₁₂) or diseases causing a deficiency in vitamin B₁₂
• cancerous disease

as Folic acid may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• folate-dependent tumour
• haemolytic anaemia (a type of anaemia where red blood cells are prematurely destroyed)
• alcoholism
• diabetes
• obesity
• family history of neural tube defects or previous pregnancy affected by neural tube defect

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child.

Folic acid may cause any of the following side effects: stomach wind, nausea, bitter or bad taste, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, rash, itchiness, and swelling of the skin.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for fits or seizures e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, valproic acid
• lithium (medicine to treat mood disturbance)
• methotrexate (medicine to treat cancer)
• aspirin (medicine to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever)
• sulfasalazine (medicine to treat stomach disease)
• triamterene (medicine to treat water retention and high blood pressure)
• certain antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Folic acid.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.

The oral solution should be used within 3 months after opening.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.