Get Informed: Folic
Active Ingredient(s)
Folic Acid
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in pregnancy, and in the treatment of folate deficiency. It contains folate, an important chemical needed for cell division.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:07 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Folic Acid
- Folate
- Folic
- Folvite
- Folitab
- Folnate
- Clonfolic
- Lexpec
- Folicare
- Valupak Folic Acid
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- A
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 05 Jun 1947
- Est US Patients*
- 1,376,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Folic or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Folic
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Folic during the past year.
Folic Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Folic interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Folic used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 9,100 patients that use Folic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Supplement | 40% | 
|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 27% |
|
| Methotrexate Side-Effects | 20% |
|
| Anemia | 8% |
|
| Pregnancy | 3% | 
|
| Other | 9% |
|
How well does Folic work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,100 users taking Folic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 82%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Folic outweigh the bad things.
- 16%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Folic.
Common Side Effects of Folic
iGuard regularly polls our more than 9,100 users taking Folic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
9% of patients experience side-effects on Folic
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Folic
Most Common Side Effects...
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Fatigue, Heartburn/Reflux
Global Patient Feedback for Folic (Folic Acid) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I had endurance sport induced AF due to living too long with high blood pressure. After being on Bilocor (B blocker) and Micardis (ACE Inhib) for several months my enduring ectopic beats were dramatically eliminated by adding 1000mg /day of EPA/DHA (Omega 3); After 5 months, ectopic beats remain eliminated despite progressively harder exercise . BP now within 140/90 limits but pulse pressure around 50 so trying folic acid to reduce. Anyone had experience of reducing pulse press with folic a?
69 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-03 05:36:15
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are studies that indicate folic acid may reduce pulse pressure. The dose used in the study was a prescription-only dose of 5 mg, which is high for folic acid. Taking high doses of folic acid can mask other conditions, so it is important to speak with your doctor to see how he/she feels about you adding folic acid to your medications.
Posted: 2010-02-08 11:46:24
Question/Comment:
MY DOCTOR TOLD ME FOLIC ACID TABLETS HELP WITH
ANTIDEPRESSANTS. GINNY, AGE 70
71 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-16 16:18:47
Question/Comment:
For anyone interested in making your hair grow faster. When I was growning up my hair was always thin and didn't grow very fast. I have been taking Folic Acid for about 10 months, and now my hair is quite a bit longer and healthier than it has ever been. Now, at 68, this lady is enjoying the "long hair" experience.
69 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-02 15:46:07
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking folic acid and although my hair is a nice length it is still very verry thin. I just went to my hairsylist today who cut it in layers and it looks so good and healthy and full.
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-28 15:00:44
Question/Comment:
i am anemic and i have been instructed by my doctor to take folic acid tablets as well as iron tablets. but i dont like taking them. what are the side affects if i refuse to take the tablets?
20 year old female
20 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-09 16:24:21
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Anemia is when there are not enough red blood cells in the body. It can be short-term or chronic, but it is generally easily treated and monitored. If left untreated, the symptoms of anemia will become worse over time. Some of these symptoms are: fatigue, weakness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath or lightheadness. If anemia is not treated, the heart continues to pump harder to get oxygen through the body. As the anemia goes on, the symptoms will continue to get worse. Folic acid can be taken with or without food and has little to no side effects. Iron can cause stomach upset, but taking it with a meal usually helps to reduce this side effect. If you have more concerns about your medication regimen or the anemia, please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns.
Posted: 2009-07-13 00:23:57
Question/Comment:
I am on folic acid because my psychiatrist said there was early indications that it hepls with depression. Additionally, it seems to be a fairly benign drug.
54 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-07 16:48:00
Answer/Reply:
My general doctor tells me that folic acid will help my anti-depression meds get better absorbed into the body and I will get the maximum effect from my meds.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-07 12:37:04
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
43
Patient Comments about
Folic