Folac 5

• Folic acid deficiency
• Megaloblastic anemia
• Anemias of nutritional origins
• Anemia in pregnancy
• Anemia in infancy or childhood

Folic acid, as it is biochemically inactive, is converted to tetrahydrofolic acid and methyltetrahydrofolate by dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). These folic acid congeners are transported across cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis where they are needed to maintain normal erythropoiesis, synthesize purine and thymidylate nucleic acids, interconvert amino acids, methylate tRNA, and generate and use formate.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• Folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia: 5 mg daily for 4 months, up to 15 mg daily in malabsorption states.
• Maintenance: 5 mg every 1-7 days depending on underlying disease.
• Prophylaxis of megaloblastic anaemia in pregnancy: 0.2-0.5 mg daily.
• Prophylaxis of neural tube defect in pregnancy: 4 or 5 mg daily starting before pregnancy and continued through the 1st trimester.

Child Dose:

• Under 1 year: 500 mcg/kg daily.
• Over 1 year: Same as adult dose.

* Use as directed by the registered physician

Common Side Effects:

• Gastro-intestinal disturbances
• Hypersensitivity reactions (rare)
• Bronchospasm
• Erythema
• Pruritus
• Rash

Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy category A. Safe in pregnancy and recommended for neural tube defect prevention.

Precautions:

• Use with caution in patients who may have folate dependent tumours.
• Should not be given alone or with inadequate amounts of vitamin B12 for the treatment of undiagnosed megaloblastic anaemia.
• In elderly people, a cobalamin absorption test should be done before long term folate.

Overdose: Folic acid is generally well tolerated. Overdose may cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Symptomatic treatment should be given.

Storage: Store below 30°C, in a dry place, away from light. Keep out of reach of children.