Folic acid
Brand: (no brand; generic only)
No boxed warning on the current FDA label.
- Caution
- Can mask vitamin B12 deficiency while nerve damage continues; OTC products are limited to 0.4 mg (0.8 mg for pregnancy), so the 1 mg tablet is prescription-only.
- Pregnancy
- Recommended before conception and throughout pregnancy (400 mcg daily, more with prior neural tube defect) to prevent neural tube defects.
Common side effects
- Rarely, nausea
- Rarely, rash
Key interactions
- Methotrexate is a folate antagonist
- High doses may lower phenytoin levels
Counseling points
- Recommended before conception and in early pregnancy
- Do not confuse with leucovorin, which is used for methotrexate rescue
- Can mask vitamin B12 deficiency while nerve damage continues
We ask 5 questions about Folic acid.Practice Folic acid →Test yourself on medications like Folic acid.Practice Medications →
High-yield study aid for exam prep, not a substitute for the package insert or a pharmacist’s dispensing reference.