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Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Allergies
Avoid folic acid supplements if hypersensitive or allergic to any of the product ingredients.
Side Effects and Warnings
Folate appears to be well tolerated in recommended doses. Stomatitis, alopecia, myelosupression, and zinc depletion have been reported.
An intravenous loading dose of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 followed by oral administration of folic acid plus vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, taken daily after coronary stenting, might actually increase restenosis rates. Due to the potential for harm, this combination of vitamins should not be recommended for patients receiving coronary stents.
Erythema, urticaria, skin flushing, rash, and itching have been reported.
Nausea, bloating, flatulence, cramps, bitter taste, and diarrhea have been reported.
The color of urine may become more intense.
Folic acid may mask the symptoms of pernicious, aplastic, or normocytic anemias caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and may lead to neurological damage.
Irritability, excitability, general malaise, altered sleep patterns, vivid dreaming, overactivity, confusion, impaired judgment, increased seizure frequency, and psychotic behavior have been reported. Very high doses can cause significant central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Supplemental folic acid might increase seizures in people with seizure disorders, particularly in very high doses.
Anaphylaxis and bronchospasm have also been reported.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnancy : It is recommended that all women capable of becoming pregnant consume folate in order to reduce the risk of the fetus developing a neural tube defect. Folic acid supplementation in higher than recommended doses is categorized as FDA Pregnancy Category C.
Breastfeeding : Folic acid is present in the breast milk and is likely safe to use during breastfeeding under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
NS_patient-folate
Portions of this document last updated:Sept. 1, 2009
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)
