ACTIONS AND USES: Folic acid is administered to reverse symptoms of deficiency, which most commonly occurs in patients with inadequate intake, such as with chronic alcohol abuse. Because this vitamin is destroyed at high temperatures, people who overcook their food may experience folate deficiency. Pregnancy markedly increases the need for dietary folic acid; folic acid is given during pregnancy to promote normal fetal growth. Because insufficient vitamin B12 creates a lack of activated folic acid, deficiency symptoms resemble those of vitamin B12 deficiency. The megaloblastic anemia observed in folate-deficient patients, however, does not include the severe nervous system symptoms seen in patients with B12 deficiency. Administration of 1 mg/day of oral folic acid often reverses the deficiency symptoms within 5 to 7 days.
ADVERSE EFFECTS: Adverse effects during folic acid therapy are uncommon. Patients may feel flushed following intravenous (IV) injections. Allergic hypersensitivity to folic acid by the IV route is possible.
INTERACTIONS: Drug–Drug: Phenytoin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, and other medications may interfere with the absorption of folic acid. Chloramphenicol may antagonize effects of folate therapy. Oral contraceptives, alcohol, barbiturates, methotrexate, and primidone may cause folate deficiency.
RELATED;
1. VITAMIN A
2. VITAMIN C
3. BIOCHEMISTRY
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