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Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid, Folate)

Category:

  • Vitamin

Description:

  • Dietary supplement; water-soluble vitamin

Indications:

  • Folic acid deficiency

    • necessary for proper protein and DNA synthesis, cellular growth and vitamin B12 function

Contraindications:

  • Treatment of pernious anemia in patients where vitamin B12 is deficient.

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category A

  • Folic acid deficiency is more pronounced in pregnant women.  Folate-deficient mothers are more prone to complications and fetal abnormalities, including:

    • Low birth weight

    • Placental abruption

    • Placenta previa

    • Abortions

    • Premature delivery

  • It is recommended that pregnant women take 0.4mg of folic acid daily during pregnancy.

  • Decreased vitamin B12 levels may occur in patients receiving long-term folic acid therapy.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Relatively non-toxic in therapeutic doses

  • Rare instances of allergic responses have occurred.

  • Patients receiving over 15mg per day may experience:

  • Altered sleep patterns, difficulty concentration, irritability, impaired judgement

  • Anorexia, nausea, abdominal distention, flatulence, bitter or bad taste

 

 

Dosage:

  • Dietary sources: liver, lean beef, veal, yeast, shole grains, leafy vegetables and fresh fruit

  • Administered orally (tablets) and injection

  • Dietary supplementation (RDA: recommended daily allowance):

    • Adult males: 200mcg per day

    • Adults females: 180mcg per day

  • Usual therapeutic dosage: 1mg per day

  • Infants: 0.1mg per day

  • Children (<4 years): up to 0.3mg per day

  • Adults and children (>4 years): 0.4mg per day

  • Pregnant and lactating women: 0.8mg per day

  • Parenteral: IV, IM or SQ is disease is severe or patient is unable to take orally

 

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
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