Name: Folic Acid
Scientific Name:
Intro: Folic acid is a member of the water-soluble B vitamin group. In the body, folic acid is converted to a more biologically active form. Like vitamin B12, folic acid is necessary for the production of both DNA and RNA. It is therefore essential for proper cellular division and the transmission of the genetic code to all newly formed cells. It is also essential for the health of red blood cells and the production of proteins and various amino acids.
Nutrient Content:
Benefits:
Comments: The Dietary Supplements Information Bureau recommends a daily dosage of 400 mcg of this supplement for optimal health. This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines.
Large doses of this dietary supplement may mask vitamin B12 deficiency.
Caution: If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding an infant, talk to your healthcare professional about supplementing your diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals.
Possible Interactions
Aluminum and magnesium containing antacids
These medications decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, thus decreasing the amount of folic acid absorbed into the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include aluminum hydroxide, aluminum carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium trisilicate, aluminum magnesium hydroxide sulfate .
Potassium-sparing diuretics
An animal study noted that triamterene inhibits the absorption of folic acid in the intestines. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone .
Bile Acid Sequestrants
These medications decrease the absorption of folic acid. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam .
H-2 Receptor Antagonists
These medications decrease the amount of acid in the stomach, thus decreasing the amount of folic acid absorbed into the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine.
Alcoholic beverages
Long term use of alcohol may cause low blood and tissue levels of folic acid. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include beer, wine, hard liquor, mixed drinks .
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are reported to decrease levels of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary, but if you are using any of these medications please see your healthcare professional before taking a folic acid supplement. These drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone, gabapentin, valproic acid, felbamate, lamotrigine, mephenytoin, fosphenytoin, clonazepam, ethosuximide, diazepam, clorazepate dipotassium, levatiracetam, tiagabine, topiramate, methsuximide, phensuximide, trimethadione, magnesium sulfate, acetazolamide, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, ethotoin .
Salicylates
These medications may increase the amount of folic acid eliminated in the urine, thus decreasing the amount of folic acid in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include aspirin, choline salicylate, sodium salicylate, magnesium salicylate, salsalate, diflunisal, sodium thiosalicylate .
Corticosteroid medications
Corticosteroids have been reported to decrease the amount of folic acid in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, betamethasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, cortisone, beclomethasone, flunisolide, fluticasone, fludrocortisone, mometasone .
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Animal studies have shown that many of these medications interrupt the use of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include ibuprofen, naproxin, etodolac, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac tromethamine, mefenamic acid, nabumetone, oxaprozin, sulindac, tolmentin, diclofenac, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, meclofenamate, meloxicam, piroxicam, celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib.
Oral contraceptives
Studies report that oral contraceptives interrupt the breakdown of folic acid and may decrease the amount of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include norethindrone, ethynodiol diacetate, norgestrel, norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone, desogestrel, levonorgestrel .
Metformin
Metformin may decrease the amount of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Methotrexate
Studies have shown that methotrexate can decrease the amount of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Trimethoprim-containing antibiotics
Trimethoprim slightly interrupts the breakdown of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include trimethoprim (TMP), trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), trimetrexate glucuronate .
Sulfasalazine
Animal studies have shown that this medication interrupts the use of folic acid in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.