Maybe you are pregnant, you have a deficiency or you are using the drug methotrexate. Then it might be that your doctor has prescribed you folic acid.
In this video we will cover how and when to use it, what side effects it can cause, and much more.
This video is part of a videoseries on sex and urinal tract related medical problem. Find the playlists here: [ Ссылка ]
Generic name: Folic Acid.
Brand names: it is not known under a brandname.
Available as: tablet.
How to use it?
- Tablet; Just swallow it with half a glass of water.
It is best to do so at fixed times. This will make you less likely to forget a dose.
When to use it?
Folic acid is converted to tetrahydrofolic acid in the gut and liver. This plays an important role in the production of various building materials in the body and the production of red blood cells.
Therefore folic acid can be used to treat:
- Anemia caused due to folic acid deficiency.
- Preventatively in people with resorption disorders or chronic alcoholism.
- Preventatively before or during a pregnancy, to reduce the chance of neural tube defects in the fetus.
- Reduce the side effects of Methotrexate.
What is the correct dosage?
The precise dose will depend on your specific indication of use, the side effect you might experience and the severity of your symptoms. Therefore always use the precise amount and frequency your doctor prescribed you.
- However, when using folic acid to treat a deficiency your doctor might prescribe an initial dose of 0.5–1 mg per day. After disappearance of the symptoms: the maintenance dose might be lowered to 0.25–0.5 mg per day.
- When prescribing it for women who want to become pregnant. Your doctor might prescribe a dose of 0.4–0.5 mg per day, from at least 4 weeks before to at least 8 weeks after conception.
What are the side-effects?
The following side effects are seen when using aspirin as a painkiller:
- Rare (0.01–0.1%): hypersensitivity reactions, fever and rash.
- Very rare (0.01%): gastrointestinal complaints, sleep disorder, depression and irritability.
Safety:
- Folic acid is safe to use while driving or drinking alcohol.
- However, it can cause interactions with other drugs you might be taking. Therefore always discuss this with your personal doctor.
- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
Literature:
1: Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. (2022). Foliumzuur.
2: Apotheek.nl (2022). Foliumzuur.
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