FOLIC ACID (VITAMIN B₉)

Anti-anaemia medicine; also known as vitamin B₉

Dosage Forms

▼

Tablets

5 mg

Uses

▼
  • Treatment of folate-deficient (megaloblastic) anaemia (during severe malnutrition, repeated malaria attacks, intestinal parasite infestations, pregnancy)
  • Prevention of anaemia in sickle-cell anaemia
  • Prevention of spinal cord defects in foetus

Dose and Duration

▼
Treatment and prevention of anaemia
Adult and child >5 years: 5 mg once daily for 4 months
Child <5 year: 2.5 mg once daily for 4 months
Prevention of spinal cord defects in foetus
Adult: 5 mg once daily throughout pregnancy

Interactions

▼
  • Sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine (cancelled effect)
  • Co-trimoxazole (cancelled effect)

Patient Instructions

▼
  • Compliance is very important for pregnant women as anaemia can affect the proper development of the baby and lead to poor health or death of the mother
  • When given with sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine (SP) for IPTp, delay folic acid for 1 week after taking SP

Pregnancy

▼
  • Can be used

Breast-feeding

▼
  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

▼
  • In megaloblastic anaemias, folic acid should be given with vitamin B₁₂