Folic acid is a vitamin that is most commonly used in pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects. This eMedTV article further discusses what folic acid is used for, describes its effects, and explains what you should know before taking the vitamin.
The benefits of folic acid during pregnancy are well known, but the vitamin may have other benefits as well. This eMedTV page discusses how this supplement can treat folic acid deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, and methotrexate toxicity.
Folic acid may be important during pregnancy, but many people wonder, "Does folic acid work for other uses?" This eMedTV article discusses the effectiveness of folic acid for methotrexate toxicity, hyperhomocysteinemia, and folic acid deficiency.
This eMedTV article offers important information on what side effects or problems may occur with folic acid. Safety precautions for the vitamin should be discussed with a doctor if you have epilepsy, cancer, heart disease, or other medical conditions.
Potential side effects of folic acid include nausea, diarrhea, and rash. As this page on the eMedTV site explains, most people do not develop problems while taking folic acid. Problems are more likely to occur if you take high doses of the vitamin.
No folic acid dosage recommendations have been established for specific medical conditions. This eMedTV page lists the recommended dietary allowances for folic acid and briefly discusses dosing for pregnant women and people with hyperhomocysteinemia.
Pyrimethamine, phenytoin, and methotrexate could potentially interact with folic acid. This part of the eMedTV archives describes the problems that may occur with folic acid drug interactions and explains how you can help prevent these interactions.
A folic acid overdose is not likely to be dangerous because it is a water-soluble vitamin. This eMedTV article lists the problems that may occur if you take high doses of folic acid for long periods of time and explains what treatments are available.
Folic acid is a very important vitamin to take during pregnancy. This portion of the eMedTV library provides more information on folic acid and pregnancy, including an explanation of the benefits that the vitamin may provide for pregnant women.
It is very important for breastfeeding women to consume enough folic acid. This segment from the eMedTV library contains more information about folic acid and breastfeeding, and explains why breastfeeding women need extra folic acid.
