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Folvite (Folic Acid): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Folvite

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 10/16/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Folvite?

Folvite (folic acid) is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin, used to treat or prevent low folate levels, which can lead to certain types of anemia or birth defects. Conditions that can cause low folate levels include poor diet, pregnancy, alcoholism, liver disease, certain stomach/intestinal problems, or kidney dialysis. The brand name drug Folvite is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may still be available.

What Are Side Effects of Folvite?

Folvite may cause serious side effects including:

  • rash,
  • itching,
  • swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat),
  • dizziness, and
  • trouble breathing

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Folvite (folic acid) usually has very few side effects. If you have any unusual effects from taking Folvite, tell your doctor. If you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction after taking Folvite, including:

  • rash,
  • itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat),
  • dizziness, or
  • trouble breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Folvite

The dose of Folvite for both adults and children is up to 1 mg daily. Resistant cases may require larger doses.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Folvite?

Folvite generally does not interact with other medications, but use caution if taking other folic acid supplements, or pyrimethamine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you are taking.

Folvite During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Folvite is safe to take during pregnancy when used as directed. Certain spinal cord birth defects may be prevented by taking adequate amounts of folic acid during pregnancy. Folic acid passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Folvite Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Folvite

Folic Acid, N-(p(((2-Amino-4-hydroxy-6-pteridinyl)-methyl)Amino)benzoyl) glutamic acid, is a complex organic compound present in liver, yeast and other substances, and which may be prepared synthetically.

Tablets: 1 mg folic acid

Parenteral: Each ml of folic acid-solution contains sodium folate equivalent to 5 mg of folic acid.

Inactive ingredients: Sequestrene sodium 0.2% and water for injection qs 100%. Sodium hydroxide to approx. pH 9.

Preservative: Benzyl alcohol 1.5%.

Uses for Folvite

Folic acid is effective in the treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to a deficiency of folic acid as may be seen in tropical or non-tropical sprue, in anemias of nutritional origin, pregnancy, infancy, or childhood.

Dosage for Folvite

Oral Administration: Folic acid is well absorbed and may be administered orally with satisfactory results except in severe instances of intestinal malabsorption.

Parenteral Administration: Intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes may be used if the disease is exceptionally severe, or if gastrointestinal absorption may be, or is known to be, impaired.

Usual Therapeutic Dosage: Adults and children regardless of age, up to 1.0 mg daily. Resistant cases may require larger doses.

Maintenance Level: When clinical symptoms have subsided and the blood picture has become normal, a maintenance level should be used, i.e., 0.1 mg for infants and up to 0.3 mg for children under four years of age, 0.4 mg for adults and children four or more years of age, and 0.8 mg for pregnant and lactating women, per day, but never less than 0.1 mg per day. Patients should be kept under close supervision and adjustment of the maintenance level made if relapse appears imminent.

In the presence of alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection, the maintenance level may need to be increased.

HOW SUPPLIED

Side Effects for Folvite

Allergic sensitization has been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folic acid.

Drug Interactions for Folvite

No information provided.

Warnings for Folvite

Folic acid alone is improper therapy in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where Vitamin B12 is deficient.

Precautions for Folvite

Folic acid in doses above 0.1 mg daily may obscure pernicious anemia in that hematologic remission can occur while neurological manifestations remain progressive.

Overdose Information for Folvite

No information provided.

Contraindications for Folvite

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology for Folvite

In man, an exogenous source of folate is required for nucleoprotein synthesis and the maintenance of normal erythropoiesis. Folic acid, whether given by mouth or parenterally, stimulates specifically the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in persons suffering from certain megaloblastic anemias.

Patient Information for Folvite

See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS.

No information provided

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