Folic acid

Type of Medication: Vitamin

Indications: Folate deficient megaloblastic anaemia. Prevention of methotrexate toxicity. Prevention of neural tube defects. Prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states or in renal dialysis.

Side Effects: May precipitate onset of subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord if given alone in B12 deficiency. Some tumours are folate dependent

Route of administration: Adult (Oral)

Dose:Folate deficient megaloblastic anaemia: 5mg od for 4 months. Prevention of neural tube defects: 400mcg od before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (up to 15 mg daily may be needed in malabsorption states)

Route of administration: Paediatric (Oral)

Dose:Child over 1year as above. Child up to 1 year: 500 mcg/kg daily

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Antiepileptics, phenobarbitol, primidone

occasionally reduce phenytoin levels