GENERIC NAME: FOLIC ACID - INJECTION (FOH-lick acid)
BRAND NAME(S): Folvite
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: Folic acid is a vitamin needed by the body to help make blood cells. Folic acid is used in the treatment of anemia (low blood cell count) due to various causes.
HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection usually once a day. Do not increase your dose, use this more often or stop taking this without first consulting your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: This medication is generally well tolerated. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following while using this drug: breathing trouble, skin rash, itching. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood disorders such as vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia), any drug or food allergies. A preservative (benzyl alcohol) which may be found in this product or in the liquid used to mix this product (diluent) can infrequently cause serious problems (sometimes death), if given in large amounts (more than 100 mg/kg daily) to an infant during the first months of life (neonatal period). The risk is also greater with low birth weight infants. Symptoms include sudden gasping, low blood pressure, or a very slow heartbeat. Report these symptoms to the doctor immediately should they occur. If possible, a preservative-free product should be used when treating neonates. This medication should be used as directed during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. The body requires twice as much folic acid during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Consult your doctor about its use.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take, including: phenytoin, sulfa antibiotics, methotrexate. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Anemia - Read about anemia (low blood cell count, low hemoglobin) causes like iron deficiency, stomach ulcers, medications, colon cancer, trauma, vitamin 12 or folate deficiency, leukemia, myltiple myeloma and more.
- Alpha and Beta Thalassemia - Read about thalassemias (alpha, beta), inherited blood disorders with symptoms such as anemia, slowed growth, bone problems, enlarged spleen, jaundice, poor apetite, and more.
- Vitamins & Exercise: Heart Attack Prevention Series - Learn how folic acid, B vitamins, homocysteine, antioxidants, and exercise can lower your risk factors for a heart attack. Exercise and vitamins play a key role in heart attack prevention.
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