Folic Acid, Vitamin B9 injection

What is folic acid injection?
FOLIC ACID (Folate, Vitamin B9) is a B-complex vitamin that occurs naturally in such foods as yeast, liver, kidneys, and leafy, green vegetables. Folic acid is essential to the development of healthy blood cells, nerve cells, and proteins in the body. As a nutritional supplement folic acid treats or prevents folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia. It helps treat tropical sprue, a condition sometimes seen in people who travel to tropical climates, in which food nutrients are not properly absorbed. There is also increasing evidence that some birth defects (neural tube defects or spina bifida) are related to lack of folic acid.

These may be prevented if the mother has enough folic acid before and during her pregnancy. Generic folic acid injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive folic acid?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• pernicious anemia
• an unusual or allergic reaction to folic acid, other B vitamins, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

How should I use this medicine?
Folic acid is for injection into a muscle or under the skin. It is usually given by a health-care professional.

What if I miss a dose?
Try to remember to get your doses at regular intervals. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you cannot make an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with folic acid?

• chloramphenicol
• cholestyramine
• methotrexate
• phenytoin
• pyrimethamine
• triamterene
• trimethoprim

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving folic acid?
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and when taken at prescribed doses is unlikely to cause side effects in patients with healthy kidneys. Side effects may be caused by an allergy to folic acid.
Possible side effects with folic acid include:

• chest tightness or pain
• depression
• irritability
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• skin rash, redness and itching
• wheezing or shortness of breath

What should I watch for while taking folic acid?
Make sure you have a proper diet. Having vitamin supplements is not a substitute for a healthy diet. Foods that contain folic acid include: whole grains/cereals, fruits, beans, leafy green vegetables, organ meats (liver, kidney), and potatoes. Be sure to include some of these in your diet each day. Note that folic acid is destroyed by overcooking or canning.

There is no scientific evidence to support claims that large doses of B vitamins prevent certain mental disorders. Treating yourself with large doses of folic acid can be unsafe. Do not treat yourself without your prescriber’s advice.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Folic acid is quickly broken down and made inactive when exposed to heat or light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.