Folic Acid Pharmacology

Folic Acid

About Folic Acid
Dietary supplement, Folate derivative( B9 ), Water Soluble Vitamin.
Mechanism of Action of Folic Acid
Folic acid reduced by enzymes folate reductase and dihydrofolate reductase and forms dihydrofolic acid tetrahydrofolic acid respectively. Tetrahydrofolic acid acts as a coenzyme which mediates a number of one carbon transfer reactions by carrying a methyl group as an adduct. It involves a number of reactions such as 1).conversion of homocysteine to methionine. 2).synthesis of thymidylate which is an essential constituent of DNA from methylene-tetrahydrofolic acid. 3). Conversion of serine to glycine by tetrahydrofolic acid and forms methylene-tetrahydrofolic acid. 4).to introduce carbon units at position 2 and 8 during de novo purine synthesis requires formyl-tetrahydrofolic acid and methenyl-tetrahydrofolic acid.5).generation and utilization of "formate pool". 6).For mediating formino group transfer in histidine metabolism. Folic acid is required to maintain normal erythropoiesis and nucleoprotein synthesis.
Pharmacokinets of Folic Acid
Absorption: Well absorbed orally
Distribution: Widely distributed in the body and highest concentration is seen in liver. It appears in the CSF and breast milk
Metabolism: Metabolized in to N-methyl tetrahydrofolic acid in liver
Excretion: Extra drug is excreted unchanged in urine. A small portion of folate is lost by a combination of urinary and fecal excretion and oxidative cleavage of molecule.
Onset of Action for Folic Acid
Oral: 20 to 30minutes
I.V.: 5 minutes
I.M.:10 to 20minutes
Duration of Action for Folic Acid
Oral: 3 to 6 hours
I.V.:3 to 6minutes
I.M.:3 to 6hours
Half Life of Folic Acid
N/A
Side Effects of Folic Acid
N/A
Contra-indications of Folic Acid
N/A
Special Precautions while taking Folic Acid
1. In patients with undiagnosed anaemia; because it may mask pernicious anaemia
2. In pernicious anaemia and other megaloblastic where vitamin B12 is deficient
Pregnancy Related Information
May be used
Old Age Related Information
May be used
Breast Feeding Related Information
May be used
Children Related Information
May be used
Indications for Folic Acid
1. Megaloblastic anaemia
2. Folic acid deficiency
3. Anaemias of pregnancy
4. Nutritional anaemia
5. Alcoholism
6. Tropical sprue
7. Non tropical sprue
Interactions for Folic Acid
1. Hypersensitivity reactions with injection form
2. Bronchospasm
Typical Dosage for Folic Acid
Oral: 5mg 1 to 4 times daily; depending up on the severity of deficiency.
Maintenance dosage: Half of the therapeutic dosage.
Children: 2.5 to 5mg 1 to 2 times daily.
Schedule of Folic Acid
C1 (Oral)
C (Parenteral)
Storage Requirements for Folic Acid
Store at controlled room temperature at a range of 15 to 25 degree C in a well closed container. Protect from excess heat, light and moisture.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Folic Acid
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Folic Acid
Relatively non toxic. Provide symptomatic treatment and supportive measures.

Home Delivery for Folic Acid in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including folic acid.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for folic acid and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for folic acid may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take folic acid only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for folic acid before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for folic acid with the pharmacy.

Folic Acid is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for folic acid might be better known than folic acid itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have folic acid in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for folic acid.