Folic acid: side effects, how to take

Pregnancy for every woman is a crucial period of life. And the role of group B vitamins in fetal development is very significant. They are necessary for the normal formation of the nervous and other systems, cell division, hematopoiesis process and just normal development of the embryo. Therefore, it is very important to start taking a drug like "Folic acid" before the onset of pregnancy. Side effects, reviews and all the features of the application of this tool will be discussed later in the article.

Basic information

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin B9. It was first discovered in the 30s of the last century. And the discoverers were Mehta and Wils. This discovery was called "Vils factor", since the intake of this vitamin helped in the treatment of anemia in pregnant women. A little later, scientists managed to get a vitamin from spinach leaves, then it was called "folic acid".

Side effects this substance does not give, but, of course, take it uncontrollably should not. Biologically inactive folic acid, getting into the body, with the help of its cells is converted into an active form - tetrahydrofolic acid, which is considered the basis for the formation of DNA and RNA.

It is necessary for the normal maturation of normoblasts and megaloblasts, participates in the synthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids, in the exchange of choline, purines and pyrimidines. And during pregnancy, taking this substance protects the woman and fetus from the effects of teratogenic factors.

Getting into the stomach, the acid is quickly absorbed there. It is converted into metabolites in the liver. It is excreted together with urine. The side effects of folic acid most often develop in the form of allergic reactions.

The described substance is available in the form of tablets and capsules that are convenient for administration, and is also a part of many medicines and supplements.

Indications and contraindications

Folic acid tablets are prescribed for anemia due to a deficiency in the body of this substance, as well as components of combination therapy:

• With chronic gastroenteritis;
• Intestinal tuberculosis;
• For the prevention of neural tube development disorders in the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy;
• With sprue.

Contraindicated folic acid in case the patient develops hypersensitivity to it, and also:

• With cancerous growths;
• Hemosiderosis;
• Violation of iron metabolism;
• In cases of deficiency of cobalamin;
• When the absorption of vitamin B12 is impaired.

Dosage

Admission of folic acid preparations is usually well tolerated, and overdose is rare. The dose depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. So, adults are prescribed 200 micrograms per day, 300-400 micrograms for pregnant women, and 500 micrograms for breastfeeding. The duration of therapy is usually one month.

For children, the medication is given in a smaller dose - from 40 to 200 μg, depending on the condition. In some cases, on the pill "Folic acid" side effects in children can manifest as a rash and itching on the skin.

For the prevention of medication taken at a rate of 20 or 50 mcg per day.

Drug Interactions

Despite the practical absence of side effects, there are still some rules to follow when using folic acid tablets. So, it is not recommended to take the following medicines with them:

• Oral contraceptives;
• "Sulfasalazine";
• "Phenytoin";
• "Phenobarbital";
• "Primidon."

As already mentioned, in most cases, the medicine is well tolerated, but sometimes allergic reactions may occur in the form of rashes and congestion on the skin. If these symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor. He will cancel the drug and prescribe symptomatic treatment.

Sometimes the side effects of folic acid during pregnancy can disturb a woman in the form of morning sickness, insomnia and increased excitability. And with prolonged intake of an increased dose of the drug, there may be pain in the abdomen, stools and even convulsions.

special instructions

When taking medications containing folic acid, it should be remembered that with pernicious anemia, you need to take the medicine only with vitamin B12, since the acid stimulates hemopoiesis and does not prevent the development of complications from the nervous system. Too prolonged use of acid can cause a decrease in the blood of cyanocobalamin.

By the way, the described acid can also be assigned to representatives of the stronger sex. If the male sperm contains an inadequate or excessive amount of chromosomes, an aneuploidy can be diagnosed. Most often this is the cause of male infertility. To reduce the risk of developing this disease will help the drug "Folic acid".

Side effects in men, by the way, are manifested in rare cases, as a rule, itchy skin.

The preparation "Folacin"

Let's describe separately the preparations containing folic acid. Thus, "Folacin" refers to a group of vitamins and is available in the form of yellow tablets containing 5 mg of vitamin B9. This is much higher than the daily dose of pregnant women, but the excess substance is excreted in the urine.

Apply this drug in case of severe deficiency of the named vitamin, but for the prevention of taking it is not recommended.

These tablets stimulate erythropoiesis, the synthesis of amino acids and the exchange of choline. During pregnancy, taking the drug protects the fetus from the harmful effects of the environment, contributes to the normal development and maturation of the placenta. It is also useful during breastfeeding. Side effects with folic acid in the preparation of "Folacin" in most cases are absent.

Indications and contraindications

Folacin can be appointed in the following cases:

• Treatment of acute deficiency of folic acid associated with malnutrition;
• A treatment process for anemia, which is provoked by a deficiency of the said substance in the body;
• Treatment of anemia in the period of gestation or lactation;
• To prevent the wrong development of the neural tube in the fetus in the womb;
• Long-term treatment with drugs that are antagonists of folic acid.

As already mentioned, the funds that contain folic acid, during pregnancy , are prescribed for sure . Side effects (what and how are manifested) from their reception can be obtained from the attending physician. Contraindications, as a rule, are:

• Various malignant neoplasms;
• Deficiency of cobalamin;
• Anemia pernicious;
• Hypersensitivity to the drug.

Dosage of "Folacin"

Folacin is administered orally. Tablets can be divided. To treat all kinds of anemia that are associated with a deficiency of folic acid, the drug is taken at a dose of 5 mg once a day. The duration of therapy is 4 months. In inflammatory processes in the large intestine and malnutrition, the drug is dosed at 15 mg per day.

To prevent the anomaly of neural tube development in the fetus before pregnancy, the substance is taken at a dose of 2.5 mg per day for a month. Reception of tablets continues in the first trimester of bearing the fetus.

Interaction with other drugs

It is not allowed to take the drug together with the following means:

• Chloramphenicol;
• "Neomycin";
• "Polymyxin";
• "Tetracycline";
• "Cycloserine";
• "Phenobarbital";
• "Primidon";
• "Cholestyramine."

Before starting treatment, you need to consider how folic acid will respond to a particular drug. Side effects (nausea, skin rashes) that occurred while this may indicate that the medicine is being taken incorrectly.

Medicinal product "Mamifol"

The next medication containing folic acid belongs to the group of vitamin preparations. It is produced in the form of white tablets. The composition of the drug includes folic acid in a dose of 0.4 mg.

With the help of this tool, the synthesis of the amino acid methionine, which is broken in future mothers, is corrected. Therefore, they need to begin with pregnancy in the early period to start taking "Mamifol", in which folic acid is present. Side effects from the application - allergies, itching, erythema and bronchospasm. But they are developing very rarely.

Indications and contraindications

This drug can be used in such cases:

• With anemia caused by a deficiency of folic acid;
• For the prevention of neural tube defects in the fetus.

Contraindications for use are:

• Deficiency of cobalamin;
• Malignant tumors;
• Pernicious anemia;
• Propensity to develop allergic reactions.

Dosage

The medication is prescribed by one tablet before the pregnancy planning and in the first trimester after its onset. The course of treatment is one month.

It is taken orally, before meals, preferably in the morning. Dosage may be increased if the patient has a large deficiency of folic acid and anemia has begun.

Overdose

The drug "Mamifol" is tolerated well in a dose of up to 5 mg per day. A higher concentration may lead to the development of the following side effects:

• Violations of the CNS;
• Failure in the work of the stomach and intestines.

To avoid an overdose, you should take the medicine correctly, which contains folic acid. Side effects usually disappear after a few days after dose adjustment.

Interaction with other means

Do not take Mamifol with the following:

• Monotrexate;
• "Sulfasalazine";
• Oral contraceptives.

Preparations against epilepsy, on the contrary, increase the need for folic acid.

In rare cases, the following side effects may develop during therapy:

• An allergy that manifests itself in the form of a rash, hyperemia of the skin;
• flatulence;
• nausea;
• Pain in the epigastric region;
• sleep disturbance;
• anxiety.

About the occurrence of any unpleasant symptoms should be reported to the doctor in charge.

special instructions

Store preparations based on folic acid at a temperature of no higher than 30 degrees in a place inaccessible to children no more than two years. The composition of drugs includes lactose, so they can not be administered to patients with a hereditary form of disruption of the assimilation of this substance.

As can be seen from the above, folic acid side effects are relatively rare, and they develop more often with improperly selected dosages. Therefore, before starting treatment, you should carefully study the instructions for use, where all the indications and contraindications to this product are described in detail, as well as the features of its administration.

It is important to remember that only a doctor can prescribe a medicine and set its dosage. Self-medication can lead to serious consequences. By the way, after the expiration of the period of the tablet implementation can not be taken, as neglecting recommendations can lead to serious poisoning.

Folic acid plays an important role in the normal functioning of the body, so with insufficient nutrition, constant stresses, you should start taking medications that include this component. Do not forget to take the drug also during pregnancy. This will increase the chances of the birth of a healthy baby.